He’s gay and Green – not the best of combinations for candidates seeking elected office in Finland. For 30 years, Finns have picked a Social Democrat to be their president. Green and gay candidates are still something of a novelty.
But Pekka Haavisto has experienced something of an Obama moment in the election. He caused a shock in last month’s first round of voting by beating more established candidates from bigger parties to qualify for this weekend’s runoff vote.
Haavisto is something of a rarity in Finnish politics, an openly gay politician living in a registered partnership with a man from Ecuador. On Sunday the Finns will decide if he can beat the current favourite, Sauli Niinistö.
On a cold afternoon at Hakaniemi Square in central Helsinki, a 50-strong crowd braved the weather to hear Haavisto speak. Anu Korppi-Koskela, 31, went along with her daughter.
“Antonio would be an excellent first lady,” said Korppi-Koskela, referring to Antonio Flores, Haavisto’s partner, a hairdresser in Helsinki who has become a favourite subject for the Finnish tabloids.
so he didn’t get elected, which wasn’t a big surprise, but. i’m just so incredibly proud of the 37.4% of the voters who weren’t afraid to vote for change.
(via smedleyfm)
Pekka Haavisto of the Green League, openly gay and liberal. A wonderful speaker, articulate and opinionated. Smart and highly qualified. Done a long career in foreign policy. One of the eight presidential canditates in Finland. Currently holds second place in the polls.
I hope he becomes our next president. He’d bring change. He’d be our ”Obama”.
Swedish Aftonbladet before and after the hockey finale.
IIHF WC 2011 Mikael Granlund Super Goal (Finland - Russia) (by AkajiCZ
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FINLAND - SWEDEN: 6 - 1
AFTER 16 YEARS WE FINALLY WON THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!
(Source: mentaljukebox)
