Who is Antonio Flores, the Ecuadorian partner of Finnish presidential candidate Pekka Haavista

Until a few years ago, same-sex couples could only register their union, but that figure no longer works in Finland, as gay couples can now marry. One of the promoters of this law was the current presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto, married to Ecuadorian hairdresser and make-up artist Nexar Antonio Flores.

They formalized their civil union in 2002. The only difference between civil union and marriage is that children who are not from their family or share the same surname cannot be adopted in marriage, which is why Flores and Haavisto each keep their own.

Despite this, the Ecuadorian was taken into consideration Finnish media called him “the first Latino and gay gentleman that Finland and the world can have”. The title of the first openly homosexual head of state would not be Haavis’s, as Paolo Rondelli from San Marino took office in 2022. Besides him, there is also Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia (2023).

Antonio Flores was born in Esmeraldas in 1978 and has lived in Finland for 25 years. He posts on his social networks in Spanish, Finnish and English. According to Finland today, He met Haavista in Bogota, and in 1998 he went to visit him in that Scandinavian country and decided to stay.

Participated in the Finnish version Dancing with the stars In 2012, he was the dance partner of artist Disa Kortelainen. In 2022, he was in reality survival in the jungle Olen Julkkis and in a similar program (but version on the farm) Farmi Suomi.

It was received as fashion designer at the Helsinki School of Design 2015 and often participates in runway work. He dressed public figures such as former parliamentarian Tiina Elovaara.

He and Haavisto supported the fight for gender equality.

He often travels through Latin America, with occasional stops in Ecuador. He also devotes his time and talent to spreading Latin culture in Europe, whether through dance or traditional clothing.

Haavisto and Flores, relationship with space for individuality

At the age of 65, Haavisto was a member of parliament, minister of the environment, international development and foreign affairs. That is why Flores accompanies him both in official programs and in election campaigns.

As for their relationship, the presidential candidate said in interviews that during one of his administrations he tried to approve a law on equal marriage, but without success (it would be approved later). Both considered the pros and cons of registration under civil law, and together they decided to settle in Finland, but without announcing it.

“I have my life as a politician, and he has his life. The event (civil union ceremony) was very nice. Many of Antonio’s relatives were there and it was a very colorful multicultural party,” he told the magazine in 2007. Dad.

“In all official UN documents, I always have to say that I have an officially registered relationship,” he says. “This was a big taboo in the UN, but for me it’s everyday life, nothing more. “I didn’t have to explain.”

For centuries, Haavist’s family lived in the rural town of Tesco, on the family farm where his mother still lives, and he and his siblings visit her. He assures that he managed to make Antonio adapt to life in the Finnish village. “He even knows how to make a potato field.” (AND)