Islandic Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir Elected President
In a surprising turn of events, Halla Tomasdottir, a successful businesswoman, has been elected as the President of Iceland, defeating former Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir. Tomasdottir secured 34.3% of the votes, surpassing Jakobsdottir’s 25.5% in the final results.
Tomasdottir, 55, who founded Audur Capital in 2007 to promote feminine values in the financial sector, will be the second woman to hold the position of President in Iceland. The first woman to be democratically elected as a head of state in the world was Vigdis Finnbogadottir in 1980.
As the President of Iceland, Tomasdottir will have a predominantly ceremonial role but will serve as a guardian of the Constitution and national unity. She will also have the authority to veto parliamentary bills and call for referendums on them.
The election campaign did not revolve around specific themes, with candidates traditionally running as independents in Iceland. Tomasdottir’s inauguration is scheduled for August 1st, following the footsteps of the popular outgoing President Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson.
Her victory comes amidst a series of volcanic eruptions in Reykjanes Peninsula since December 2023, which led to the evacuation of thousands of residents, including those from the town of Grindavik.
Overall, Halla Tomasdottir’s election as President marks a significant moment in Iceland’s political landscape, with her background in business and commitment to humanitarian and climate values shaping her vision for the country’s future.