Haavisto, who is currently running for the Finnish presidency for the third time, has received support from the Voters’ Association and the Green Party. Haavisto played a central role in the creation of the Finnish Green Party in the 1980s.
early life
Haavisto graduated from Munkivuori School in Helsinki in 1976. He initially majored in social sciences at the University of Helsinki, but he was unable to complete his degree. Haavisto, who began his career as a journalist in the late 1970s, turned to politics and became a prominent figure in the Kojärvi movement, which focused on protecting bird habitats.
political journey
His role as editor of the Green League’s official newspaper marked his first foray into politics. In 1987, Haavisto entered the Finnish parliament and held the seat for eight years. He made history after the 1995 election by becoming the first Green Party representative in Europe to hold a ministerial post, serving as Minister of the Environment, despite his temporary absence from parliament.
Harvist left domestic politics and devoted six years of his career to international service at the United Nations. His roles included leading UNEP research groups in conflict zones such as Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Palestine, and Sudan. Additionally, he coordinated a United Nations investigation into the effects of depleted uranium in several countries, demonstrating commitment to global environmental issues. His participation in the Darfur peace negotiations as a special representative of the European Union further increased his profile.
After returning to Finnish politics, Haavisto’s political trajectory took an important turn when he was nominated as a Green League candidate for the 2012 presidential election. His candidacy made history not only as the first openly gay presidential candidate, but also as the first non-military male candidate.
Despite not winning the election, Pekka Haavisto categorically denied speculation that his sexual orientation played a significant role in his election performance, insisting that homosexuality was a major factor in the election result. refuted the idea that there is.
His outstanding achievements earned him a ministerial position in Jyrki Katainen’s cabinet. He served as Minister for International Development in the government of Alexander Stubb and later as Special Representative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs for African Crisis in 2014.
Haavisto became Minister of Foreign Affairs in the aftermath of the 2019 national elections, in which the Green League achieved unprecedented success. His leadership was characterized by his active stance on global issues, with a focus on EU-Russia relations. A major milestone achieved during his term was Finland’s accession to NATO in 2023.
Following this, he announced that he would run as an independent candidate in the 2024 Finnish presidential election, ending his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
presidential election
In his review of Finland’s decision to join NATO, Pekka Haavisto emphasizes the importance of ongoing negotiations regarding Russia. He emphasizes the need for Finland to be actively involved in NATO operations, especially in light of the evolving security environment.
He points out that NATO membership is consistent with other foreign policy objectives, such as human rights-based approaches, peace mediation, and disarmament.
Regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Harvist passionately expressed his support for Ukraine. He has advocated a strong demonstration of international solidarity and appealed for support for reconstruction efforts.
Haavisto was also one of the first voices to advocate for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amid Israel’s attacks on the strip. He has been particularly outspoken about the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region, and envisions a two-state solution as a viable path to resolving the conflict.
He envisions a presidential initiative to create a climate change group of heads of state that could include nations such as India, small island states and the Nordic countries. Haavisto believes such a group could serve as a platform for heads of state to step up global climate efforts.
He acknowledged the need for a multipolar world, discussed “decoupling” and “risk aversion” in relations with China, and mentioned the shift from globalization to regionalization, which has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is.
The presidential candidate also stressed the need for Finland to fight hate speech against minorities, aiming to unite the people against external threats.
politics and personality
Pekka Haavisto’s achievements extend beyond individual accomplishments and represent a transformation in Finnish politics, challenging traditional party norms.
Haavisto’s public appearances and television presence resonate with Finnish viewers, who are characterized by his quick wit and gentle demeanor. Hervist’s campaign, despite aligning with green ideals, avoids fixating on a single issue. His understated and extensive knowledge of world politics has impressed many, but some wish for more charm and oomph.
With his environmental background, he has emphasized the growing importance of climate and natural issues in international politics. Mr. Haavisto emphasizes the integration of values and interests in foreign policy, particularly human rights as a means of enabling mobility and safeguarding a world order that supports peace, stability, and prosperity.
Harvist emphasizes the importance of increasing tolerance to strengthen national security, as divisive topics can be exploited by external actors. He offers a vision of unity to withstand external pressures and address issues of domestic racism.
He also encourages investment in education and easier access to employment-based immigration, linking this to the potential for job growth in Finland. Harvist emphasizes the need for flexibility in working hours, suggesting that parents have shorter work weeks and more options for working from home.
assignment
The Al-Hol controversy erupted in late 2019 after Haavist called for the swift repatriation of the Finnish family of an ISIS fighter from Syria’s Al-Hol refugee camp, which faced legal and political challenges. The following year, Parliament’s Constitutional Committee found that Haavisto had violated Finnish law by trying to replace a Foreign Ministry official who opposed the repatriation plan.
He was also embroiled in controversy over the evacuation of Finnish nationals and embassy staff from Afghanistan in 2021, when local subcontracted security guards were initially excluded from the evacuation list. Although evacuations ultimately occurred, the incident highlighted differences with other Western countries’ evacuation strategies.
In June 2021, Haavisto claimed that Ethiopian leaders told him in a closed-door meeting that they intended to “exterminate the Tigrayan people for 100 years.” The revelations prompted strong condemnation from the Ethiopian government, which dismissed Mr Haavisto’s comments as “ridiculous” and suggested they may have been “hallucinations or misremembering”.
Harvisto was under criminal investigation in December 2020 on suspicion of violating the Highway Act. The investigation stemmed from video recordings showing Harvist allegedly failing to stop at two crosswalks. Prosecutors ultimately decided not to press charges, citing construction that made the first crossing impassable and the situation at the other crossing unclear.
interesting quotes
“My approach is that hate speech actually has little to do with freedom of speech, because its purpose is to silence people and make them afraid to express their opinions and views. And unfortunately However, this phenomenon still persists in Finland.
“Last time, our attempt to become a member of the UN Security Council deliberately failed. There will be an important showcase of our thoughts on renewal. Finland may also be a candidate.”
“There is no doubt that a permanent ceasefire is still needed in Gaza, and I think we need to balance the situation. It was the Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the whole nightmare, but the Gaza Strip It is wrong to target civilians and kill so many civilians, including children, and it is important that we respond.”
“Values and interests can also merge in foreign policy. This is how I feel about human rights. We need a world order that has room for maneuver and that can sustain peace, stability and prosperity. will protect.”
“This is the common EU position. The poisoning of Mr. Navalny needs to be investigated and it appears that Mr. Navalny has been treated unfairly. The victim of the crime is placed in the position of the defendant. The conference will absolutely demand Mr. Navalny’s release.”
“If this does not continue and there is tension between NATO and the US, or further withdrawal of the US from areas considered important by NATO, the bilateral DCA agreement will result in harsh judgment for Finland. Let’s go.”
HT