Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen beat her rival candidate in a vote on Sunday to become the first female president of the country.

With 99.9 percent of the vote counted, Halonen had garnered 51. 6 percent of ballots against 48.4 percent for the rival candidate -- former Prime Minister Esko Aho, according to early results of the vote.

Halonen, 56, is a Social Democrat. Reported to be highly experienced in international affairs, Halonen has been Finnish foreign minister since 1995. She began her political career in the 1970s, and also worked as minister of social health and minister of justice.

Halonen will inaugurate as president on March 1, replacing Martti Ahtisaari, and become the 18th president of Finland. She will also be the fifth incumbent female president in the world.