Presidential elections in Finland go to second round Sauli Niinisto, a veteran conservative leads the race to become Finland's 12th president after the first round of voting. His 40 percent in the first results mean the contest will go to a second ballot. Former foreign minister Paavo Vayrynen, who opposes Finland's membership in the 17-nation eurozone, was in second place on the first votes - all from the postal ballot - despite his showing in the polls leading up to the election. The top two candidates go into the run off. Timo Soini, the leader of the eurosceptic Finns Party campaigned saying his country should not have to pay for the mistakes of others. Despite his party's high showing in the parliamentary election he trailed in fourth out of the eight candidates. One of the key issues for voters is membership of NATO. Many fear that joining the alliance could provoke neighbours Russia after decades of neutrality during the Cold War. Now the voters will have to go to the polls again with the next round on February 5. The president has a largely ceremonial role and is not involved in daily politics.