Gay Candidate Reaches Finnish Presidential Runoff
Pekka Haavisto, the first openly gay presidential candidate in Finland, has reached a run-off election scheduled for next month.
CNN International reports on the first round of voting that took place Sunday. Haavisto, a member of the Green League, came in second place after former Finance Minister Sauli Niinisto of the conservative National Coalition Party, who had took just under 37% of the vote. The men are vying to replace Tarja Halonen, Finland’s first female president, who is stepping down because of term limits.
“A runoff between the top two finishers is slated for February 5,” according to CNN International. “Turnout was estimated at nearly 73% of Finland's 4.4 million eligible voters. The eventual winner will break a 30-year lock on the presidency by Halonen's Social Democrats.”
Haavisto, who served as environment and development minister, brings experience working for the European Union and the United Nations in Sudan and the Middle East.
Niinisto, the frontrunner, brings experience as deputy chairman of the European Investment Bank, a selling point for Finns who want leadership in dealing with the troubled eurozone.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2012/01/23/Gay_Candidate_Reaches_Finnish_Presidential_Runoff/
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