Laura Varnaþ
Laura Varnaþ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Gylias | |
| In office 1 February 2007 – 1 February 2011 | |
| Prime Minister | Mathilde Vieira Kaori Kawashima Toni Vallas |
| Preceded by | Anina Bergmann |
| Succeeded by | Carmen Dell'Orefice |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 December 1964 Velouria, Nerveiík-Iárus-Daláyk, Gylias |
| Political party | Democratic Left |
Laura Varnaþ (born 25 December 1964) is a Gylian politician. She served as President of Gylias from 2007 to 2011.
Early life
She was born on 25 December 1964 in Velouria. She is a descendant of the Varnaþ family, her grandmother being the former princess Meďide.
She attended university in her hometown, completing two bachelor's degrees (in English and French) and a master's degree in comparative literature.
She began an artistic career while at university, working as a writer, producer, and actress.
Political career
Laura entered politics in parallel with her artistic career, joining the Democratic Left. She was elected to the Velouria city council in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000.
She has said that on entering politics, she benefited from public interest in her background as a descendant of former royalty.
She ran for governor of Nerveiík-Iárus-Daláyk in 1998, and finished second, losing to the Centre Group candidate. Despite the loss, her performance was remarkably good for the conservative-leaning region, and attracted notice.
She was elected to the regional council in 2002, but was defeated for re-election in 2006.
Presidency
Election
Laura was chosen as the Progressive Alliance's candidate in the 2007 presidential election. Despite finishing third in first preference votes, she managed to advance to the final round through vote transfers, and narrowly defeated Veronica Rossetti by 50,2% to 49,8%.
She lost re-election in 2011, with 49,7% to victorious Carmen Dell'Orefice's 50,3%. This made her the first Gylian president to lose re-election.
Exercise of office
Laura chose to promote environmentalism and social engagement as president.
In contrast to her predecessor, who only had one Prime Minister serve under her, Laura saw three governments led by Mathilde Vieira, Kaori Kawashima, and Toni Vallas. She had the best relationship with Toni, owing to their similar leftist beliefs, but mentioned she'd tried to encourage Kaori to continue in office when she was starting to have doubts that her government lacked a vision.
She made an official visit to Ossoria with Kaori in 2011, becoming the first president to visit Ossoria, reflecting the gradual dissipation of tensions after the Ossorian war crisis..
Senate nominations
Laura mainly nominated people from the world of arts to the Senate, such as pornography star Frauke Stark.
Other notable nominations included Carmen Dell'Orefice, the economist Leále Tiekat, and her predecessors Sáe Nyran and Anina Bergmann, due to their academic backgrounds.
She maintained a policy of excluding business figures from nomination to the Senate.
Post-presidency
Laura returned to her artistic career after her re-election defeat.
As a gesture of respect and reciprocation, her successor Carmen nominated her to a term in the Senate, which she served from 1 March to 1 June 2011.
Private life
Laura identifies as a lesbian and has kept her religious beliefs private.