Politics Women heads of state/government around the world

[Maciamo]

This week, Michelle Bachelet was elected President of Chile, making her the first female president of a South American country, while at the same time Tarja Halonen was on her way to become elected for another 5-year term as President of Finland. Still the same week, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became Liberia's new president, making her Africa's first female elected head of state.

On 22 November 2005, Angela Merkel became the first female Chancelor of Germany. In May 2005, Sonia Gandhi was elected Prime Minister of India, but declined the position, staying president of the ruling party. India already had a female Prime Minister for 15 years with Indira Gandhi. In Januray 2005, Condoleezza Rice became the 2nd female US Secretary of State after Madeleine Albright (1997-2001).

The UK was among the first countries to elect a woman as their leader, with Margaret Thatcher in 1979.

The world is changing. Women are becoming more important in politics. Yet some countries seem more sexist than others. I wonder when countries like France, Italy, the USA or Japan will have a female head of state, although they all have female ministers/secretaries in function now. Has there ever been a serious female presidential candidate in France or in the US ?

 

[Ma Cherie]

It'll be awhile before the US decide to have a female president I think, although it seems likely that Hilary Clinton will run for the 2008 elections. I don't know, for some reason, the US feels the world won't take us seriously if we have woman as president. :? Maybe it's probably not an issue of sexism. At times I feel when some countries place a woman in a powerful position, they're probably doing it not to come off as being sexist.

 

[Sensuikan San]

I would point out the following page:

http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/candidates2000.htm

Wether or not they were all serious contenders is for you to decide.

However - perhaps we should also consider Geraldine Ferraro's inclusion as Vice-Presidential candidate on Walter Mondale's ticket for 1984. She obviously had at least some serious aspiration in that regard!

Just to add ... I'm quite surprised that, thus far, no-one has mentioned the late Israeli PM Golda Meyer ...... ! (A lady, BTW, who gained my greatest respect.)

And in the ancient world - particularly in the Celtic world - female leaders were not unknown by any means. Who is not aware of Boudicca?

(... Not to mention Queen Liz I - when the monarchy was ... not quite ... "constitutional" .... ?)

Suffice to say - I don't think that the gals were, are, or will be, much different from the guys!

(Sorry, Ladies!)

?W????

 

[MeAndroo]

It'll be awhile before the US decide to have a female president I think, although it seems likely that Hilary Clinton will run for the 2008 elections. I don't know, for some reason, the US feels the world won't take us seriously if we have woman as president. :? Maybe it's probably not an issue of sexism. At times I feel when some countries place a woman in a powerful position, they're probably doing it not to come off as being sexist.

I'm ready for a woman president...that way I can stop hearing the "if women ran the world, we'd have no war!" argument that still gets brought up.

My only problem with Hillary getting it is that it'll feel like she's riding her husband's coattails, and will be sort of like a rebound f--k for the US after Bush's terms, i.e. we're just looking for someone different. Regardless of the politics, however, it'd be nice to see a president who wasn't a white male, no matter what the difference.

 

[Sensuikan San]

I'm ready for a woman president...that way I can stop hearing the "if women ran the world, we'd have no war!" argument that still gets brought up.

Ah, Yes! Good one!
.... let us remember Margaret Thatcher's peaceful example ..... !
More seriously ...

My only problem with Hillary getting it is that it'll feel like she's riding her husband's coattails, and will be sort of like a rebound f--k for the US after Bush's terms, i.e. we're just looking for someone different. Regardless of the politics, however, it'd be nice to see a president who wasn't a white male, no matter what the difference.

(With regard to Hillary C.):Yes ... you would be quite right IMO in that argument ... I think that it would/will become a severe impediment, wether or not we are "for" or "against" her.

With regard to your last statement - I agree ... it would be 'nice' .... provided that the elected individual was up to the job!

(Just as a rider ... we're in the midst of an election here in Canada right now ... with some pretty lame candidates! I wish to hell that Diana Krall was running!)
?W????

 

[Flashjeff]

Speaking just for myself, I wouldn't have a problem with a woman as president, but I doubt that would ever happen. This country just isn't that forward thinking. Hillary probably stands the best chance since Ferraro of getting close to the Oval Office, but she carries too much baggage (namely hubby Bill) to ever become Commander-in-Chief. And, speaking as a black man, I know for a fact that a minority will NEVER be elected. Hell, as things stand in this country right now, given our sexist and racist viewpoints, Ah-nold will probably become president before a woman or a minority. A damn scary thought to sat the least!

 

[Tsuyoiko]

Don't forget Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, the first woman to head an Islamic state. Please feel free to forget Margaret Thatcher. kashii:

 

[Mycernius]

Please feel free to forget Margaret Thatcher. kashii:

All should bow down to Herr Thatcher. Okay, I'm a conservative, you'll expect me to defend her government. I was going to answer to MeAndroos comment about women and war, but Sensuikan san beat me to it.
Sometimes wonder if the US will have a black president before they have a female president? Maybe Ms. Rice could run. It would be an interesting time if she did.

 

[Ma Cherie]

All should bow down to Herr Thatcher. Okay, I'm a conservative, you'll expect me to defend her government. I was going to answer to MeAndroos comment about women and war, but Sensuikan san beat me to it.
Sometimes wonder if the US will have a black president before they have a female president? Maybe Ms. Rice could run. It would be an interesting time if she did.

You know, Mycernius alot of Americans have said that. I'm going to have to disagree with flashjeff about the issue of a minority becoming president. I think the problem with that thinking is that no one considers the fact that a minority has to have favor from a certian group of people. Or several groups of people for that matter.

Anyways, I have to admit that I would not want Condaleezza Rice as president.

 

[Sensuikan San]

You know, Mycernius alot of Americans have said that. I'm going to have to disagree with flashjeff about the issue of a minority becoming president. I think the problem with that thinking is that no one considers the fact that a minority has to have favor from a certian group of people. Or several groups of people for that matter.
Anyways, I have to admit that I would not want Condaleezza Rice as president.

Hmmm.

I don't think I'd like to see that either - but we must admit - she is probably ... certainly .... more knowledgeable on foreign affairs issues than Georgey B!

?W????

 

[Flashjeff]

Condi? For President? Pardon me while I laugh!

She's an even longer long shot than Hillary! Being black, and a woman, her chances are nonexistent. Furthermore, she's too entwined with the Bush adminstration which angered half the country with their missteps (the false pretenses for the Iraq War, the crappy response to Katrina, the domestic spying issue, et al.), so I doubt she'd be given a decent shot.

Forget her, folks. Condi would never make it through the primaries, and that's presupposing she even decides to run, and I doubt she will. She's a smart woman, so I'm sure she knows she doesn't have a chance in hell of succeeding.

 

[breez]

at the same time Tarja Halonen was on her way to become elected for another 5-year term as President of Finland.

Actually 6-year term and was is really correct in this case as she didn't get the majority of votes in the first round as was expected. The second round between Halonen and Niinistö will be tight with polls showing numbers 53-47 for Halonen.

 

[suirai]

Sensuisan Kan is exactly right. The list of female monarchs throughout the ages is quite long. Two that come to mind at this waking up hour are Catherine the "Great" and that lady who sent the navigator on his way to find Japan but accidently ran into a large land mass blocking his way.

Anyway, women seem a sensible group of humans and I've always wondered why a sensible person would want the job of running a country. I mean ... really ... what a horrible job.
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[Silverbackman]

I'm okay with a woman president, but not Hillery Clinton! No socialist for this country, thank you . Some articles say Condoleeza Rice might run. Wouldn't that be a battle. Condie vs Hillary.

 

[Silverbackman]

Whoa, I found two sites advocating her for president of the United States;
http://www.4condi.com/
http://www.rice2008.com/
According to wiki Condie and Hillary are the favorite candidates for the presidency.
Could it be this?;

Cat Fight!

 

[No-name]

I thought we already had a woman president????

 

[Flashjeff]

I'm okay with a woman president, but not Hillery Clinton! No socialist for this country, thank you . Some articles say Condoleeza Rice might run. Wouldn't that be a battle. Condie vs Hillary.

I hate to disappoint you, but that's not going to happen. Condi's too associated with the raging clusterf*ck that's the George Bush White House to have even a snowball's chance of being considered for a presidential nod, regardless of if she has the credentials for the job. Meanwhile, Hillary's almost as hated in Washington as her husband was when he occupied the Oval Office, so her chances are pretty much nonexistent as well. Also, sadly, the U.S. isn't progressive enough to consider a woman for president.

 

[Silverbackman]

I hate to disappoint you, but that's not going to happen. Condi's too associated with the raging clusterf*ck that's the George Bush White House to have even a snowball's chance of being considered for a presidential nod, regardless of if she has the credentials for the job. Meanwhile, Hillary's almost as hated in Washington as her husband was when he occupied the Oval Office, so her chances are pretty much nonexistent as well. Also, sadly, the U.S. isn't progressive enough to consider a woman for president.

I disagree on the "US not being progressive enough to consider a woman for president" part. Even Pakistan has had a woman head of government and the people's view of women their is far more traditional here. In America (like other Western countries) women have high status compared to the rest of the world (same with the rest of the Western World compared to entire world). The opportunities haven't presented themselves, that's all.

With that said I disagree that the two ladies won't have a chance at the next election. Their chances are as good as the other men (and according to polls better). I'm not sure whether Condie could win the election (though I would much rather she winning it than socialist Hillary) because the of racism in the South. Most Americans aren't racist today but there are a few left-overs in the South from before the Civil Rights movement that will not vote for Condie just because she is black (although many of them may be conservative themselves). That small percentage may decide the election whoever Condie runs against.

 

[WandaDew]

. . I might add that the panic- making about global climate catastrophe also seems to be part of their game . . . more and more people are sceptical about this panic- making. Remember . They do EVERYTHING for globalism . . . everything. . .if that is installing fear in people which only a global watch agency i. e. tyrannical government . . may solve ... so be it . . People should inform themselves.