Tuesday, January 10

I am at the tram stop peering through the snow at the election posters. The presidential election is coming soon and this is one I am not allowed to vote in. The two favourites are Sauli Niinisto, representing everything sensible and moderately right wing, and Pekka Haarvisto, representing everything gay and groovy.

It is possible that there will need to be a second ballot and it is possible, although not certain, that these two will be the ones left in it. It is also possible that Niinisto will face off against the somewhat dull Paavo Väyrynen or even, heaven help us, Timo Soini.