Centre-right Stubb leads Finland’s presidential vote in early results

By Anne Kauranen and Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Alexander Stubb of the centre-right National Coalition Party led in the run-off vote for Finland’s next president on Sunday, with 52.7% support in early results, justice ministry data showed.

The liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto was behind him at 47.3% support, with 63.2% of the votes counted, the data showed.

Finland is electing a new head of state who will also be responsible for its security and foreign policy. The winner is expected to be known by around 2100 GMT.

Stubb, a former prime minister, won the first round on Jan. 28 with 27.2% of the vote ahead of Haavisto on 25.8%. He has also led Haavisto in surveys, most recently by 6-8 percentage points.

“A very good start to this evening. That feels good at the moment but there are still plenty of votes to be counted,” S...