Finland is moving into second round presidential elections where the two leading candidates advance. The two advancing candidates are Sauli Niinistö from the conservatives and the openly gay candidate Pekka Haavisto from the green movement. Finlands president’s main political power is in the field of foreign policy.
The gay question is perhaps not politically correct to put on the table for discussion. However, it is a question that obviously still needs to be talked of. Perhaps Finland is ready for its first gay president but what about the world, is the world ready? It is correct that the country elected one of the first female presidents in the world in 2000 and 2006 (Tarja Halonen). But that is perhaps a different matter altogether.
What about a gay president? Could it be that the world and especially Russia is not ready yet?
Russian leaders have in recent times had a notoriously anti-gay tone in their politics; banning gay pride marches branding them as propaganda. If Finland elected a gay president what would be the consequences to the relations with Russia? Would the relations between the two nations cool down or would there be an improvement in gay rights in Russia? These questions are several and it’s difficult to say what the eventual consequences will be. Thus far Finnish-Russo relations have been warm and Finland’s President has even enjoyed warm and personal relations with the Russian leaders Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev. It’s almost certain that it will force a reaction on the Russian behalf if Pekka Haavisto is elected as President of Finland.
• Finlands presidential elections are modeled according to the French model. Typically a two round deal as no one of the candidates has ever received over 50% in the first round elections. In the second round only the two leading candidates will remain and the Presidency will be decided between the two.
Interesting read:
http://www.gaycitynews.com/articles/2011/12/07/gay_city_news/news/doc4edf9159d9b40904125965.txt
The gay question is perhaps not politically correct to put on the table for discussion. However, it is a question that obviously still needs to be talked of. Perhaps Finland is ready for its first gay president but what about the world, is the world ready? It is correct that the country elected one of the first female presidents in the world in 2000 and 2006 (Tarja Halonen). But that is perhaps a different matter altogether.
What about a gay president? Could it be that the world and especially Russia is not ready yet?
Russian leaders have in recent times had a notoriously anti-gay tone in their politics; banning gay pride marches branding them as propaganda. If Finland elected a gay president what would be the consequences to the relations with Russia? Would the relations between the two nations cool down or would there be an improvement in gay rights in Russia? These questions are several and it’s difficult to say what the eventual consequences will be. Thus far Finnish-Russo relations have been warm and Finland’s President has even enjoyed warm and personal relations with the Russian leaders Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev. It’s almost certain that it will force a reaction on the Russian behalf if Pekka Haavisto is elected as President of Finland.
• Finlands presidential elections are modeled according to the French model. Typically a two round deal as no one of the candidates has ever received over 50% in the first round elections. In the second round only the two leading candidates will remain and the Presidency will be decided between the two.
Interesting read:
http://www.gaycitynews.com/articles/2011/12/07/gay_city_news/news/doc4edf9159d9b40904125965.txt
No comments:
Post a Comment