三级aa视频在线观看-三级国产-三级国产精品一区二区-三级国产三级在线-三级国产在线

  Home>News Center>World
         
 

Halonen wins second term as Finnish president
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-01-30 08:36

Finnish President Tarja Halonen, dubbed "the mother of the nation", won a second six-year term with 51.8 percent of the vote over Conservative party candidate Sauli Niinistoe.


Presidential candidate Sauli Niinisto (R) congatulates his rival Tarja Halonen after the latest results of the second round of the Finnish Presidential elections at the Finnish Broadcasting Company headquarters in Helsinki. Halonen, dubbed "the mother of the nation", won a second six-year term with 51.8 percent of the vote over Niinistoe. [AFP]

Niinistoe promptly conceded defeat, even before a 99.9 percent vote count clearly showed that he had been beaten.

"Madame has won the election, but the man who lost can still stand tall," Niinistoe said after gallantly kissing Halonen's hand in the Helsinki TV studio where candidates and observers were gathered for the evening.

Outside, Halonen's supporters were chanting "Tarja, Tarja" as they toasted the winner with champagne.

Niinistoe, a former finance minister, had looked like a pushover after opinion polls last week credited Halonen with up to 55 percent of voter support.

But days before the vote, Halonen's lead narrowed to a mere two percentage points, 51 percent against 49 percent.

Halonen, who is Finland's first female president, had managed to once again mobilize her country's women voters, observers said.

"One reason behind the success is that the women vote still matters," political scientist Tuomo Martikainen told AFP.

"Six years ago, I was the first female president, this time I am the first re-elected female president," a smiling and relaxed Halonen said after her victory.

Halonen is a product of her country's well-established Social Democratic traditions, but her unconventional profile makes her stand out from the crowd.

She is often dubbed in the media "President of all Finns" and "the mother of the nation", phrases that reflect the immense popularity of the woman whom most Finns simply call "Tarja".

In 2004, her popularity surged to 94 percent -- an almost unimaginable level for a western democracy and the highest score recorded in the country since it gained its independence in 1917 -- before settling down to around 70 percent now.

The 62-year-old incumbent had been predicted to sail through the first round on January 15 with an absolute majority.

But in the end she was forced into a runoff with just 46.3 percent of the vote.

Finnish political experts admitted they had misjudged the contest when they presented Halonen's victory as a foregone conclusion when Niinistoe won just 24.1 percent in the first round.

Halonen paid tribute to her rival's efforts, saying he had conducted "a good campaign".

Niinistoe, a vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), threatened Halonen's chances with a skilled campaign during which he claimed that Finland needed a president who "understands globalization" and could develop ways to create jobs in a changing world.

The Conservative challenger has even styled himself as "the president of the workers".

He also needled Halonen by insisting that Finland needed to decide soon whether to join NATO, a debate that the president said was not necessary for many years to come.

Popular and with an easy sense of humor, Halonen had emphasized a need to preserve the Finnish welfare state.

With a proven track record in foreign policy, which is mainly in the hands of the Finnish president, Halonen has also defended the rights of minorities and has fought for social protection against globalization.

Business-like, Halonen said Sunday that she "would just go back to work" on Monday morning.

Niinistoe said he would return to his job at the EIB in Luxembourg "which is also a good way to serve Finland".

Turnout was 77.1 percent against over 80.2 percent at the last election.

The Social Democrats have held the presidency in Finland since 1982.

 



US, Mexican police find largest ever border drug tunnel
Most Earth-like planet found
Japan's rocket blasts off with land-observation satellite
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Researcher: pollution limits sunshine in big cities

 

   
 

HK confirms another bird death from H5N1

 

   
 

Wen celebrates festival with oil workers

 

   
 

Emperor urged to visit Yasukuni Shrine: Aso

 

   
 

At least 60 killed in Poland roof collapse

 

   
 

Names of panda couple for Taiwan unveiled

 

   
  Halonen wins second term as Finnish president
   
  Saddam trial resumes with new chief judge
   
  Ark. police find bodies of 3 children
   
  US climate expert says NASA bids to muzzle him
   
  Alan Greenspan to step down Tuesday
   
  Clinton sees climate change biggest malaise
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement
         
主站蜘蛛池模板: 日韩一级在线观看 | 性做久久久久久网站 | 亚洲国产国产综合一区首页 | 国内精品一区视频在线播放 | 成人免费福利片在线观看 | 一级一片在线播放在线观看 | 欧美日韩无线在码不卡一区二区三区 | 激情五月婷婷基地 | 欧美韩日在线 | 日韩欧美久久一区二区 | 一级黄色特级片 | 九九九热精品 | 日本一线一区二区三区免费视频 | 请看一下欧美一级毛片 | 欧美日韩国产精品自在自线 | 一级特黄录像免费播放冫 | 91精品国产爱久久久久 | 一区二区三区久久精品 | 日韩免费视频播放 | 精品一区视频 | 一级毛片a女人刺激视频免费 | 国产tv在线 | 欧美特黄一级片 | 免费一级大毛片a一观看不卡 | 欧美一级日本一级韩国一级 | 日韩不卡一二三区 | 综合欧美日韩 | 欧美一区二区亚洲 | 99精品视频在线观看re | 一级片视频免费观看 | 99久久综合九九亚洲 | 黑人操中国美女 | 99热这里都是国产精品 | 2021久久精品免费观看 | 亚州三级视频 | 天天影视综合色 | 国产在线拍偷自揄观看视频网站 | 亚洲 欧美 日韩 综合 | 亚洲黄色美女视频 | 成人欧美午夜视频毛片 | 日韩中文字幕一在线 |