The party councillors in an election held during the biennial conference at Hämeenlinna on Saturday elected the new executive body for the next two years where Räsänen, also the Interior Minister of the country was elected chairperson bagging 271 votes.
Another local leader Markku Vihanto, chairman of Sotkamo unit also contested the polls for the post of party chief but got only 12 votes, party sources said.
Päivi Räsänen has been leading the Christian Democrats since the year 2004.
Laura Peuhkuri, Sauli Ahvenjärvi and Teuvo Riikonen were elected vice presidents of the new committee, said sources.
