Håkan Juholt decided to step down as the leader of Sweden’s Social Democratic Workers' Party. His credibility had been undermined by claims that he had been receiving allowances for private and rented car. Juholt is being temporarily replaced by Carin Jämtin.
The Social Democrats have traditionally been the largest party in Sweden but are in big turmoil right now and it seems the party leader post is surprisingly unattractive. Several high profile party members have already ruled out running for the post. Moderate Party is running the country for the second time in a row and Social Democrats support is currently at an all-time low.
A second round will be needed in selecting a new president for Finland. Overwhelming favourite Sauli Niinistö from National Coalition Party won 37% of the votes with Pekka Haavisto from Green League edging out Paavo Väyrynen from the Centre Party by a narrow margin (18-17%) to get the right to challenge Niinistö in the second round of voting in two weeks.
The vote sent a clear signal of tolerance and is also a sign of support to the European Union as both candidates are clearly pro-EU and pro-Euro. Väyrynen ran an EU-sceptical campaign. Niinistö is former finance minister, former parliament Chairman and honorary President of the European People's Party. Haavisto is the former Minister of Environment, former European cabinet minister and peace talks veteran. Haavisto is openly gay and lives in a registered partnership with Antonio Flores from Ecuador.
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