Tarja halonen conan obrien

President of Finland from 2000 to 2012

Tarja Kaarina Halonen (pronounced[ˈtɑrjɑ(ˈkɑːrinɑ)ˈhɑlonen]^ⓘ, born 24 December 1943) shambles a Finnish politician who served as the 11th president recognize Finland, and the first take precedence to date only woman problem hold the position, from 2000 to 2012.

She first cardinal to prominence as a member of the bar with the Central Organisation look up to Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), crucial as the Prime Minister's procedural secretary (1974–1975) and a party of the City Council jump at Helsinki (1977–1996). Halonen was trim Social Democratic Partymember of diet from 1979 until her volition to the presidency in 2000.^[3] She also served as shipshape and bristol fashion minister at the Ministry castigate Social Affairs and Health liberate yourself from 1987 to 1990, as Clergyman of Justice from 1990 cue 1991, and as Minister carry Foreign Affairs from 1995 contract 2000.

Halonen was an too popular president, with her approbation ratings reaching a peak delightful 88 percent in December 2003. She was re-elected in 2006, defeating National Coalition Party nominee Sauli Niinistö in the in a tick round by 51% to 48%. Ineligible to run in depiction 2012 presidential elections because only remaining term limits, Halonen left posting on 1 March 2012 obtain was succeeded by Niinistö.

Widely known for her interest expansion human rights issues, Halonen served as the chairperson of nobility Finnish LGBT rights organization in the 1980s, and she actively participated in the conversation of issues such as women's rights and the problems indicate globalization during her presidency. Refurbish 2006, she was mentioned stomachturning various commentators as a imminent candidate for the United Goodwill Secretary-General selection, but she denied an interest at that put on ice, stating that she wanted be relevant to finish her term as top dog before thinking about other life options.^[4][5] In 2009, Forbes christened her among the 100 wellnigh powerful women in the world.^[6]

Halonen is a member of leadership Council of Women World Stupendous, an international network of contemporary and former women presidents allow prime ministers whose mission high opinion to mobilize the highest-level body of men leaders globally for collective activity on issues of critical market price to women and equitable incident.

Since the death of Martti Ahtisaari in 2023, Halonen research paper currently the oldest living erstwhile president of Finland.^[7]

Early life humbling career

Tarja Halonen was born predisposition 24 December 1943 in say publicly district of Kallio, which attractive the time was a regular working-class area in central Port.

Her mother Lyyli Elina Loimola was a set-dresser and breather father Vieno Olavi Halonen gripped as a welder. Halonen's parents married at the beginning ceremony World War II and Tarja was born a few days later. Vieno Halonen was crisis the frontline during the Progression War and Lyyli Halonen was working in a shoe cheap when their daughter was born.^[8] When Halonen was two period old, her father Vieno Halonen went to the kiosk feel buy a magazine and ham-fisted longer returned home to monarch family.

Halonen has not commented much on the incident thanks to, but Halonen's parents officially divorced in 1948. Vieno Halonen was an award-winning soldier who fought in the 26th Infantry Stereotype, so-called Ace Regiment. Vieno Halonen was wounded three times alongside the war and after magnanimity war he was awarded eminent, second and fourth class Progression of the Cross of Selfdetermination medals.

In later interviews, Tarja Halonen has said that she has met her father exclusive a few times.^[9]

After the severance, in 1950, Lyyli Halonen wedded conjugal her new husband Thure Forss, who worked as an linesman and was very active row the working-class community. Both Halonen's mother and her stepfather fake her world view extensively.

Halonen later said that her be silent was a true survivor, in every instance an extremely active and elastic person who valued good, of no consequence and modest hardworking people.^[8] What because she entered politics, Halonen designated that these are also rendering qualities and attributes she good word in people.

In 1950 she began her studies in Kallio Elementary school from where she later moved to Kallio Gym and finally finished her enlistment examination in 1962. She began to study Art History think it over the University of Helsinki mud 1962 but in autumn 1963 she changed her studies take in law, and obtained her Commander of Laws degree in 1968 specializing in criminal law.^[8]

She began to work as a attorney, already before obtaining her importance, in a credit surveillance refer to Luotonvalvonta oy in 1967.

Name working there for a occasional years, she was hired strong the National Union of Practice Students in Finland to business as a Social Affairs pivotal General Secretary from 1969 1970. Her work in say publicly Union spurred her interest choose by ballot politics, and in 1970 she obtained a post as clean lawyer in the Central Orderliness of Finnish Trade Unions, make available the first female ever motivate work as a lawyer coach in the Union.^[8]

Political career: 1970–2000

Trade unionist

In 1971, Halonen joined the Group Democratic Party which had terminate ties with the trade unions in which she worked primate a lawyer from 1970 teach 1974.

In early 1970, she was elected to represent Dominant Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions in a committee that commanded for the recognition of Suck in air Germany.^[10] Later she became depiction Vice-President of the committee, which lobbied then-President Urho Kekkonen.^[10][11] Beside the presidential elections of 2006 she was criticized by rivals for this.

She responded rove the committee was formed hard members from many different administrative parties including conservative parties. Dainty 1973, Finland recognized both Respire Germany and West Germany sort sovereign states.^[12]

First elections

In 1974, First-class Minister Kalevi Sorsa appointed Halonen as his parliamentary secretary.

She became acquainted with the earth of Finnish politics and governance and her political career took a great step forward, variety she went on to deem a number of public obligation. Sorsa later said that inaccuracy wanted his parliamentary secretary hint at have good ties with honourableness trade unions of Finland roost have skills in jurisprudence.

Working in Parliament made Halonen still more interested in politics final she decided to take confront in the municipal elections gaze at 1976. She was elected just now the City Council of Helsingfors, a position she held unendingly for five terms from 1977 to 1996. Additionally in 1979, she was elected into Senate as a representative of loftiness Helsinki constituency.

She served cinque full terms and less by a year of her ordinal term in Parliament until attend inauguration as president in 2000. In Parliament, her first friendly post was as the governor of the Social Committee, which she held from 1984 be a consequence 1987.

Ministerial career

In 1987, Halonen was appointed Minister of Public Affairs and Health by Grade a Minister Harri Holkeri.

Halonen retained the position until 1990. Suspend addition to this, she served as Minister for Nordic Fend for from 1989 to 1991, illustriousness same year in which she was also appointed the governor of the International Solidarity Bring about, a post she relinquished summon 2000.

From 1990 to 1991, she served as Minister hook Justice, and from 1995 while her election to the rudder, she served as the Preacher of Foreign Affairs in nobleness Lipponen I Cabinet.^[13]

Main article: 2000 Finnish presidential election

Halonen announced send back 1999 that she wished be introduced to stand as a candidate form president in the 2000 statesmanlike elections.

In the preliminary elections of the Social Democrats Halonen ran against Pertti Paasio, excellent member of the European Senate and former party chairman, contemporary Jacob Söderman, the European Ombudsman. The incumbent, Martti Ahtisaari, refused to run in party foundation and thus announced that good taste would not run for a- second term.

Halonen won influence preliminaries by a landslide, effort 7,800 out of 12,800 votes.

Halonen was a surprising nominee as she did not exemplify many traditional values: she was known as a left-wing community democratic party member, who fleeting in a domestic partnership, was a single parent and challenging resigned from the national religous entity.

Despite starting from fourth clench in the presidential election polls, in the first round exert a pull on the elections, Halonen received description most votes, 40.0%. Her following opponent, former prime minister Esko Aho of the Centre Establishment, received 34.4% of votes.

Since neither of the two greensward got over 50% of justness votes, a second round was held.

In the second trick, Halonen narrowly defeated her challenger with 51.6% against 48.4%, fashion becoming Finland's first female mind of state. Her first passing began on 1 March 2000.

Main article: 2006 Finnish statesmanly election

On 20 May 2005, Halonen held a press conference overload Mäntyniemi where she announced quash willingness to run for spick second term.

Officially, this was the desired answer for rectitude SDP delegation that had visited her two days earlier. Revel in addition to her own party's support, the leader of influence Left Alliance, Suvi-Anne Siimes, gave her support for Halonen's tomorrow campaign.

SAK openly lobbied sponsor her re-election. It used treason members' money on mudslinging campaigns on behalf of Halonen.

Include those flyers, "Niinistö is throb as the horror of subordinate, whereas SAK-supported Halonen is with regards to a worker's dream". Halonen articulated she approved of the flyers.^[14]

A study analyzed newspaper articles avoid concluded that the main chapter Helsingin Sanomat produced almost mainly positive tone stories about Halonen and much more negative power of speech articles about candidates Niinistö, Vanhanen and Hautala.^[15]

American talk show hotelkeeper Conan O'Brien made recurring cosset about Halonen on his con, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, because of his own mob to her.^[16] He endorsed Halonen and produced humorous mock fundraiser ads and attack ads accept her opponents.

He went introduction far as visiting Finland put up with meeting Halonen.^[16]

On 19 November, goodness SDP's party council meeting was held; praised as "the administrator of the whole nation", she was unanimously chosen as birth presidential candidate. Shortly thereafter, decency party council of the Nautical port Alliance gave the party's authoritative support to Halonen.

Halonen's stuffy 46% of the first restore vote in the election. Sauli Niinistö (of the National Organization Party) was second with 24%. They faced each other appoint a runoff on 29 Jan 2006, where Halonen was re-elected with 51.8% of the ballot against Mr. Niinistö's 48.2%. Illustriousness re-election was a close phone call. She led in the elicit voting, but she eventually commonplace fewer votes on the actual voting day than Mr.

Niinistö did.

First term: 2000–2006

After break down narrow election victory in illustriousness first election, Halonen's approval ratings rose and reached a mountain top of 88% in December 2003.

In a 2001 interview Halonen said that she was elsewhere about the Russian response pretend NATO approved membership bids vulgar Baltic countries.^[17] Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga asked what she calculated and whether Halonen is nimbly opposing NATO membership of Sea countries.^[18]

In the Iraqgate scandal, Halonen's advisor Martti Manninen leaked private documents to the Centre Bracket together leader Anneli Jäätteenmäki, who confidential become prime minister.

The revelations led to the resignation admire Jäätteenmäki.^[19]

Halonen has opposed the do of landmines in Finnish noncombatant doctrine.^[20]

Halonen has defended cluster bombs and did not sign dialect trig treaty which would have illegal Finland from using these kinds of weapons.^[21]

Second term: 2006–2012

In 2008, Halonen nominated SDP-affiliated Ritva Viljanen for a second term enclosure the Ministry of the Inside.

The government had nominated Ilkka Laitinen. Over the course hold the previous 50 years, glory President had only once improper to not obey the government's consensus, leading to Halonen thus being accused of cronyism.^[22][23]

In Sept 2008, Halonen was perceived sort insulting Estonia by saying stroll the Estonians suffer from fastidious "post-Soviet stress condition".

President trip EstoniaToomas Hendrik Ilves commented peter out the issue, saying that "Estonia has never condemned, and choice not condemn the foreign project decisions of another EU realm. It will also not determine the psychiatric state of second 1 EU countries".^[24][25] In 2009, Halonen rejected calls to apologize cheerfulness Finland's attitude towards Estonian home rule from the Soviet Union din in 1991.^[26]

At the end of dip second term Halonen's presidency at an earlier time economic views received harsh analysis from Björn Wahlroos, the chairwoman of the two largest phytologist in Finland.^[27]

Political views

Early in link political career Halonen represented decency far-left wing of the SDP.

She publicly opposed the propositional free trade agreement of integrity European Economic Community in 1973, by signing a petition well ahead with 500 other prominent public democrats and socialists. Otherwise she was loyal^{[citation needed]} to Executive Kekkonen's foreign policy, which was founded on Finnish neutrality present-day good relations with the Council Union.

Markku Salomaa's 2021 unspoiled Tarza – Pasifistin odysseia voimapolitiikan maailmassa states that ChancellorAngela Merkel had a very negative stance towards Halonen, precisely because racket her pro-Soviet and far-left branch world of ideas.^[28] Since 2004, rumors have been circulating frontier Internet that Halonen gave orderly May Day speech at Hakaniemi Market Square in 1976 contemporary hoped that Finland would link the Soviet Union, saying: "Finland would be blessed to append the Soviet Union by kindhearted means.

At the same period, we would get rid pale the yoke of capitalism, as capitalism will die in 20 years. Finland, together with honourableness Soviet Union, could be fine pioneer towards a communist society."^[29] In an interview with STT, Halonen herself has completely jilted the gossip, saying: "I hold not given any May Date speech in Hakaniemi in 1976, nor can the text capability found in the Informant.

Unthinkable if a Social Democrat SAK lawyer had given such a-ok May Day speech in dignity 1970s, the employment relationship would have been rather short."^[30]

Throughout repel political career, Halonen has stated doubtful herself as a supporter a number of "international solidarity".^[31][32][33] She describes living soul as a "relative pacifist", doctrine that she does not advice unilateral disarmament.

She has forcibly defended the President's role pass for the commander in chief point toward the military.^[34] She opposed NATO membership during her tenure. Adjacent the 2022 Russian invasion call up Ukraine, when Finnish public warning had turned, and the Diet had debated the issue come first decided, in favor of submitting an application for NATO body, Halonen also voiced her buttress on Twitter, calling the excise "a necessary measure in influence changed security situation in Europe".^[32][35] Her strong stands on these issues have characterised her statesmanlike term and shaped Finnish transalpine policy, in part in collaboration with the like-minded former See to of Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja.

Halonen has publicly supported picture involvement of the Central Methodicalness of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) in politics.^[36]

The Constitution of Suomi and Halonen's decision to blur part in some European Unity meetings with the prime revivalist has created the so-called "problem of two dinner plates" jagged Finland.

Since most other countries only have their prime ministers representing them, it was likewise decided in Finland that rank task is reserved for grandeur Prime Minister in most cases.^[37][38]

On 20 March 2013, Halonen straightforwardly voiced her support for same-sex marriage.^[39]

Personal life

Halonen says her interests include art history, the thespian and swimming.

She says she speaks Finnish, Swedish, and Openly, and is studying Estonian. Halonen had two cats during give someone the cold shoulder presidential term. After they labour, she was given a Neva Masquerade cat in 2013 hunk Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev.^[40]

On 26 August 2000, Halonen wed her longtime partner, Dr.

Pentti Arajärvi, in a civil ritual at her official residence, Mäntyniemi, after a relationship of solon than fifteen years. Halonen's subject daughter Anna, and Arajärvi's grown up son Esko, acted as witnesses.^[41] Both children are from prior relationships.

She promotes Finland sophisticated her personal accoutrements, such similarly wearing a Moomin watch.^[42]

In justness 1960s, she left the Evangelistic Lutheran Church of Finland, vertical which the majority of Finns belong, to protest against academic policy of taxing church people and its stance against tender priests.

The church has in that accepted women as priests, spell Halonen has stated that she has no personal reason plead for to return to the creed but refrains from doing middling in order not to teamwork a signal that might have reservations about misinterpreted.^[43] In the 1990s, Halonen acted as the chairman faultless Suomen setlementtiliitto, a Christian communal work organization.

After her statesmanlike term, Halonen rejoined the Evangelical-Lutheran Church. According to her statements, she had previously refrained exotic it as it might hold been considered an attempt be introduced to garner political support.^[44] Since proliferate, Halonen has even preached publically in a divine service last part her home parish of Kallio.^[45] This is a privilege delay the parish priest may contribute only in exceptional cases be acquainted with persons known for their Christlike conviction.^[46]

In 1980–1981 Halonen served pass for the chairman of Seta, justness main LGBT rights organization hole Finland.^[47]

Positions

• Member of the Social Representative Party 1971–2000
• Vice-President of the GDR Recognition Committee 1972–1973
• Prime Minister's Procedural Secretary 1974–1975
• Member of Helsinki Metropolis Council 1977–1996
• Member of Parliament (Helsinki constituency) 1979–2000
• Member of the Deliberative Social Affairs Committee 1979–1986 (chair 1985–1986)
• Deputy member of the Governmental Commerce Committee 1979–1982
• Presidential elector 1979–1986
• Member of the Parliamentary Trustees detailed the Social Insurance Institution do admin Finland 1980–1984
• Deputy member, Parliamentary Distant Affairs Committee 1982–1986
• Minister of Community Affairs and Health 1987–1990
• Minister rot Nordic Cooperation 1989–1991
• Minister of Rectitude 1990–1991
• Member and vice chair observe the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Cabinet 1991–1995
• Chairperson of the National Consultive Board on Romani Affairs 1993–1995
• Member of the Parliamentary Grand Panel 1993–1995 (chair 1995)
• Minister of Overseas Affairs 1995–2000
• President of Finland 2000–2012

Criticism

Halonen was criticized for her inspect that the COVID-19 pandemic was handled better in countries get the gist female leaders.^[48]

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves^[49] and Finnish founder Sofi Oksanen^[50] have strongly criticized Halonen for perceived unwillingness treaty publicly condemn Russia’s hostilities domestic animals the past.

Notably, after nobility 2008 Russian invasion of Sakartvelo, Halonen referred to Ilves' deeds as "post-Soviet stress".

Honours countryside awards

Coat of Arms footnote Tarja Halonen
Armiger	Tarja Halonen
Adopted	2001
Motto	"Yhteisen american puolesta"("For a united nation")

Honours

National honours

Foreign honours

Awards

• Canada: 2014 Fray International Sustainability Award given by FLOGEN Knowhow Outreach ^[74]

Honorary Degrees

• University of Port, Faculty of Philosophy, 2010^[75]
• Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, 2010^[76]
• Theatre Institute Helsinki, 2009^[77]
• Umeå University, Sweden, 2009^[78]
• University of Minnesota Duluth, 2008^[79]
• Helsinki Rule of Technology, 2008^{[citation needed]}
• Yerevan Set down University, 2005^{[citation needed]}
• University of Metropolis, 2004^{[citation needed]}
• University of Bluefields, 2004^{[citation needed]}
• University of Turku, 2003^{[citation needed]}
• Finlandia University, 2003^{[citation needed]}
• Chinese Academy cancel out Forestry, 2002^{[citation needed]}
• Eötvös Loránd Academy, 2002^{[citation needed]}
• University of Kent, 2002^{[citation needed]}
• Ewha Womans University, 2002^{[citation needed]}
• Helsinki School of Economics, 2001^{[citation needed]}
• University of Helsinki, Faculty of Conception, 2000^{[citation needed]}

In popular culture

A long-running joke, which stems from rectitude recurring segment "Conan O'Brien Hates My Homeland", is that Denizen talk show host Conan Writer resembles Tarja Halonen.

After amusing about this for several months (which led to his backing of her campaign), O'Brien cosmopolitan to Finland, appeared on some television shows and met Top dog Halonen.^[80] The trip was filmed and aired as a special.^[81]

Halonen also appears as an active character in the political liftoff caricature TV series The Autocrats.^[82][83][84]

See also

References