Finland expected to appoint second woman PM

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Source: afp

AFP - Finland was expected to appoint its second woman prime minister Tuesday after Mari Kiviniemi was recently voted in to replace exiting premier Matti Vanhanen at the helm of the ruling Centre Party.

Vanhanen, 54, who has been prime minister since 2003, tendered his resignation Friday but agreed along with his four-party, centre-right cabinet to stay on until new leadership could be appointed Tuesday afternoon.

Vanhanen has blamed his surprise decision to cut short his second term on a leg operation, but a drawn-out campaign financing scandal surrounding him and his party is widely believed to have contributed to the decision.

Considered a capable, knowledgeable and serious politician, Kiviniemi, 41, would likely serve as prime minister until the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for April 2011, and the Centre Party hopes her scandal-free image will help boost ratings and help it remain in power also beyond the vote.

Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20100622-finland-expected-appoint-second-woman-pm

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