Former Finnish PM wins first round of election, will face foreign minister in runoff

Former Prime Minister of Finland Alexander Stubb won the first round of the nation's presidential election on Sunday, setting up a runoff with runner-up ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto next month.

Stubb got 27.2% of the vote, with Haavisto getting 25.8%.

“Getting such a result together with the team is heartwarming. I am grateful and humbled by it,” Stubb told his supporters after results had come in.

A runoff happens when no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote. It will take place on Feb. 11.

The election in Finland has greater significance than ever before since the country recently joined NATO and is located geographically close to Russia.

Stubb is conservative, and he helmed his country's government from 2014 to 2015.