Linkevi?, High Public Trust Despite Revealing as 'Homosexual'
Inaugurated Today as 7th President
Devotes Inaugural Speech to Russo War Topics
In the Eastern European country of Latvia, the first 'gay president' has been elected. This is also the first case among European Union (EU) member states.
According to major foreign media on the 8th (local time), Edgars Rink?vi?s, a member of the centrist New Unity party, took the oath of office as the new president of Latvia at the parliament building in the capital city, Riga.
Having served as foreign minister for over 10 years since 2011, he was elected as the 7th president of Latvia in a parliamentary election held in May, succeeding former president Egils Levits.
President Rink?vi?s, known for his tough stance against Russia and support for Ukraine, publicly revealed his homosexuality on Twitter in 2014.
Although Latvia and neighboring countries in Eastern Europe have been less tolerant of sexual minorities compared to Western Europe, President Rink?vi?s is understood to have gained public support through his long tenure as the longest-serving foreign minister in history. One news agency reported that he is the first openly gay head of state among EU member countries.
Meanwhile, in his inauguration speech, President Rink?vi?s devoted a significant portion to Russia and Ukraine. He stated that Latvia's foreign and security policy stance would remain unchanged, saying, "(The Baltic states) will support a strong and effective North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)."
He continued, "The war and genocide that Russia has carried out in Ukraine have created a new and ruthless reality," emphasizing, "We will continue to support the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people until Ukraine achieves final victory, and we will fight against Russian imperialism and its evil global ideology."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
