Sofia Beket
The Most Righteous Sofia Beket | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Vyvland | |
| In office 5 June 2006 – 7 June 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Bernurd Venes |
| Succeeded by | Robert Ujson |
| Health Minister | |
| In office 4 November 1994 – 30 April 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Nikola Veersdiken |
| Succeeded by | Albrekt Asgoin |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 28 August 2000 – 1 July 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Mafjas Skenterby |
| Succeeded by | Robert Ujson |
| Member of Parliament for Krois-1, KS | |
| In office 30 October 1989 – 3 June 2006 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 250px February 17, 1953 Krois, Kros |
| Died | 250px |
| Resting place | 250px |
| Nationality | Vyvlander |
| Political party | Socialist |
| Spouse | Pijre Gundel |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | Vlud Royal Medical School |
| Profession | Dentist |
Sofia Beket (pronounced /'zo̞ːð.ja 'be̞.kə(t)/) is a former President of Vyvland, whose term lasted from 2006 to 2010. She is a member of the Socialist Party and was Vyvland's first female President. After having been Leader of the Opposition for five years, Beket was elected as the Socialist Party's nominee for President in December 2005, and proceded to win the 2006 presidential election, beating incumbent Independent (in reality Conservative-National joint ticket) candidate Bernurd Venes in the second round of voting.
Beket was born in Wenref, in western Kros province on the border with South Vyvland, and trained in dentistry, although during her time at university she became active with the Student Social Democrats, who were a student wing of the Socialist Party of North Vyvland. She juggled a part-time career in dentistry with a minor political career in Vlud, being defeated in every election she stood in before moving back to Krois, neighbouring her hometown, in 1989 to contest that year's election. Beket narrowly won against the National candidate, and went on to represent Krois-1 until resignation before the 2006 presidential election. In 2001, Beket was elected as the leader of the Socialist Party, replacing Mafjas Skenterby, and therefore automatically became Leader of the Opposition. However, she still failed to win the 2002 general election, despite increasing the Socialists' vote share.
Perceived as being from the moderate wing of her party (in contrast to Minke Selengborg, Prime Minister for the majority of Beket's term), Beket's election policies were broadly appealing and helped her to win the vote off many Liberal supporters, who did not field a candidate after a pact with the Socialists. Her very active campaign involved the most extensive political tour of Vyvland, in which she spoke publically in 67 municipalities in one month. her election victory was followed by her presiding over an unstable coalition government, for whom she provided a moderating force. However, following defeat in Parliament for the Socialists, Beket lost the 2010 presidential election to Robert Ujson, falling into third place behind Curtis Blymont and therefore not advancing to the second round. However, Beket has announced her intention to run for Parliament again in the 2013 general election for her original seat.