HELSINKI, Finland — Social Democrat Tarja Halonen edged out her rival in a run-off election, becoming Finland's first female president.
Halonen, who is foreign minister in the current Finnish government, won Sunday by more than 100,000 votes, receiving 51.6 percent to former Prime Minister Esko Aho's 48.4 percent. She had led by as much as 14 points in surveys last month, but recent polls showed Aho catching up.
"We have together, men and women, been successful in both winning this election and in getting Finland's first female president," Halonen told a gathering at her party's headquarters on Sunday. "I promise to do everything so that in six years time you'll be saying, 'We knew it was going to be worth it.' "
More than three-quarters of the country's 4.2 million eligible voters turned out.
The president's role is largely symbolic, and not much is expected to change in foreign and defense policy — the traditional domain of the Finnish head of state.
But that didn't stop Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, who heads the Social Democrats, from proclaiming Halonen's election "a historic moment for Finland."
Halonen, 56, takes office on March 1 for a six-year term. She replaces Martti Ahtisaari, who did not seek re-election.
The campaign, marked by a lack of issues, was more about personalities than politics. The only major disagreement between the two candidates was over the European Union's denunciation of the new right-wing Austrian government.
Aho said the EU shouldn't meddle in the internal affairs of a member country, while Halonen defended the EU's move to isolate Austria.
It didn't seem to influence voters.
"The Austrian issue was far too distant. It wouldn't have swayed many Finns at all," said Esko Anttola, professor of EU studies at Finland's University of Tampere.
Many had thought Halonen's controversial stands would hurt her chances at the polls.
In a country where 85 percent belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, she quit the church in protest over its policy of not ordaining women.
Halonen has also headed Finland's Gay Association. She lives with a longtime boyfriend and has said she has no plans to marry.
"Halonen is a person who with her own individuality, her openness and her genuine character appealed across party lines," Lipponen said.
Aho, dubbed the "Kennedy of Finland" by media for his dapper manner, had tried to shake off the rural image of his Center Party — traditionally supported by farmers and landowners.
He managed to gain the support of high-power conservative politicians and businessmen, but for many he remained aloof.
At one rally, Aho admitted that he found "it difficult to put himself in the shoes of ordinary people."