Voters in Finland choose a new president on Sunday in a second round of voting, with conservative Sauli Niinistoe tipped to win the six-year term.

A late poll suggested Niinistoe, of the center-right National Coalition Party, had the support of 62 percent of voters. His opponent, Pekka Haavisto of the Greens, had 38 percent.

In the first round of voting on January 22, Niinisto won 37 percent against a field of seven other candidates, while Haavisto won 18.8 percent.

Niinistoe, 63, served has finance minister from 1996 to 2003 and presided over Finland's transition to the euro in 2002. Some consider his financial experience an important platform amid the turmoil of the European debt crisis.

Haavisto, 53, has focused on environmental issues and enjoys support from younger, urban voters. But analysts say his party affiliation and the fact that he is openly gay could harm his chances, especially among older Finns.

The Finnish presidency is a largely ceremonial role. Both candidates are staunchly pro-Europe and agree on most issues surrounding non-EU foreign policy, one of the few areas in which the president has real power.

The winner in the run-off will replace Tarja Halonen, who has served the maximum of two six-year terms. Her exit marks the end of 30 years of Social Democrat dominance of the presidency.

acb/za (AP, AFP, dpa)