Presidential elections in Iceland – summary of the actions of the current president, the figure of candidates, forecasts.

Analysis briefly:

• The presidential election will be held in Iceland on 1 June 2024.
• Despite public support, the current president Guðni Th. Jóhannesson announced that he would not run.
• According to the information provided by the State Election Commission, 11 candidates for president of Iceland were approved.
• Current polls study a balanced fight between 2 candidates – erstwhile Icelandic Prime Minister Katrina Jakobsdottir and Halli Hrund Logadóttir.

1 June 2024 Iceland will have its day of democracy in the form of elections of the seventh president of the Republic. Who will receive this honor? There was no deficiency of information in the media about the evidence number of candidates submitted – as many as sixty, although people who obtained a minimum number of signatures and were so considered authoritative candidates, were 11, which is inactive a evidence in Iceland. Here are their names:

• Arnar Þór Jónsson
• Ásdís Rán Gunnarsdóttir
• Ástēór Magnússon Wiium
• Baldur Þórhallsson
• Eiríkur Ingi Jóhannsson
• Halla Hrund Logadóttir
• Halla Tómasdóttir
• Helga Þórisdóttir
• Jón Gnarr
• Katrín Jakobsdóttir
• Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir[1].

However, the diverse list of challengers to the presidential chair leads to a deeper reflection on the subject – what will prove to be a key determinant for citizens? Education, postulates, political experience?

But starting from the beginning, we gotta get back to the end of last year. In the fresh Year’s Message, the current president of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson announced that he would not search re-election in the upcoming presidential election[2]. Under Icelandic law, the number of word of office is not limited. In the country, however, the customized has been adopted, which provides for the exercise of office of no more than 4 terms[3]. True, this unwritten regulation has been broken in the past of the country by president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, who was the Icelandic head of state for as long as 5 terms of office, making him the longest-serving president of democratic Iceland[4].

Jóhannesson, an educated historian, held the presidency since 2016. and during its course, he made many and crucial decisions for the country, although many considered controversial. As Iceland's first president, he took part in the Gay Pride parade, emphasising equality between women and men, whether he participated in negotiations to establish a coalition government in the country[5]. His actions met with extraordinary approval of society. After 4 and half months of office, as many as 97% of citizens expressed satisfaction with the actions of the head of state[6]. In the 2020 election, Jóhannesson gained almost the same percent points of support[7].

Jóhannesson made himself known to the public as 1 of them, a man of the people. It is not all day that the president meets, who voluntarily transfers 10% of his wage to charity. The president has besides been celebrated for many "everyday" statistical behaviours of the citizen. In 2018, pictures of Jóhannesson personally receiving pizza from 1 of the restaurants appeared in public space. Moreover, he was besides actively active in the discussion on the performance of pineapple on an Italian pie[8].

However, paying attention to the political aspects – after the speech of the current president on social media, the fans of the replacement began to arrive. They were the first to report, among others. ArnarMr Jónsson, lawyer and deputy president of the independency Party[9the Ástthór Magnússon, called a maliciously "everlasting candidate", due to the fact that he wanted to be elected six times – in 1996, 2000, 2012, 2016, 2020[10]

As many as 60 candidates wanted to apply for the office of president of Iceland[11, which made the willing much more than in the election 8 years ago, where 20 people were reported[12]. However, as mentioned at the beginning, the authoritative candidates are 11, which is inactive a crucial number due to the population of Iceland.

For society, the fact that so many aspire to service as the most crucial individual in the country should be peculiarly encouraging. It is worth mentioning at this point the results of a survey from early 2024 conducted from 16 to 24 January 2024 and indicating that respondents... did not want any of the candidates submitted at the time. 77% said so. It is peculiarly crucial that the second open question on the proposal of a candidate for the office of President, 56% of respondents did not indicate any person, while 44% expressed their preference. The most percent points were earned by the current president, Johannesson, and just behind him with a score of 4% was the Prime Minister – Katrina Jakobsdottir [13].

On the 1 hand, we can talk about the large indecisiveness on the part of the society at that time and the challenge facing him, and on the another hand, it shows the trust that the Icelandic people have in the current head of state, as well as the erstwhile head of government who announced that she would be 1 of the presidential candidates[14], which has become a very crucial news for the Icelanders erstwhile examining the forecasts today. Jakobsdottir and Halla Hrund Logadóttir are presently the most serious contenders for the president of Iceland.

Who are these 2 women to whom so many Icelanders want to vote?

Katrina Jakobsdottir It is not only known in its home country but besides internationally. Since November 2017, she has served as Prime Minister of Iceland, as the second female in the past of this country. She was previously Minister of Education, discipline and Culture and Minister of Nordic Policy. She was besides president of the Left Movement – Greens[17]. Her government emphasized sex equality, noted the problem of economical exclusion of women. The policy of the Jakobsdottir government besides focused on climate change policy, which was reflected, among another things, in their efforts to make Iceland carbon neutral by 2040. Privately wife and parent of 3 sons[18]. Katrin Jakobsdottir is undoubtedly a candidate with broad political experience, manifested in many roles and actions she has taken.

Halla Hrund Logadóttir their candidacy was announced on 7 April 2024. The female is an energy manager and assistant at Harvard University. In 2021, she was the first female to be appointed Director-General for Energy. Since 2017, she has been co-founder and manager at Arctic Innovation Lab. Logadottir has been a associate of the Energy Fund Board of Directors for nearly 10 years, she was the managing manager of the Islnad School of Energy from 2013 to 2016, and manager of global improvement at the University of Reykjavik from 2011 to 2013[19]. She is besides known for her efforts to address changes in the Arctic, including co-curator of the Arctic Transformation Map of the planet economical Forum[20]. On Logadottir there is no shortage of opinions that indicate why he has a chance to defeat Jakobsdottir. In the words of Visir, Mr Böðvarsson spoke of her as follows:

"In my opinion, Hall Hrund Logadóttir is the only candidate who has the chance to defeat Katrína Jakobsdóttir in these elections. Halla Hrund is almost a reflection of nature itself in all its behavior, cheerful, warm and beautiful, but besides determined and of course with a bone in the nose. It has a wide scope of supporters both in the city and in the countryside, it speaks to many of us erstwhile it talks about cooperation and unifying people in a task that benefits everyone where justice is the guiding light. As Commissioner for Energy, she pointed out the essential legislative changes to defend nature and defend households and smaller businesses from the commercialisation of the energy market. I think it's clear that no another candidate in this election has that much chance of winning. Halla Hrund Logadóttir will most likely be Iceland's next president.” [21]

– R. Böðvarsson

This year, very interesting – besides from the Polish position – proved to be situations that occurred before the authoritative number of candidates and their names were announced.

Given the surface of Iceland, as well as the population in this country – about 375 thousand[22] people – the advanced number of candidates declared is interesting. In comparison, according to the information of the State Election Commission, 11 people besides competed in the 2020 election for president of the Republic of Poland[23]. You don't request expertise to announcement that there are many more citizens in our country than in Iceland.

At this point, 1 can think about where this phenomenon comes from. There's a lot about tradition and history. Democratic values have always been close to Iceland. It was here that the oldest parliament of the planet was created – Althing[24And the world's first female to be elected president was an Icelandic citizen[25]. Icelandics besides have a strong sense of community and integration with power. At this point it is worth referring to the situation a year ago. In June 2023, anyone who wanted to had the chance to visit the President's residence. Moreover, all guests were personally welcomed by the host[26].

The female has lived in Iceland for 17 years, established a household there, worked in many industries – from gastronomy to culture[27]. In an interview with Iceland News, she admitted that the intent of her run was to work towards reducing social inequality, integration of immigrants and native Icelanders. Sokołowska focuses on fighting xenophobia, racism and with a wide scope of prejudices[28]. She had the chance to meet with Polk's politics before. According to Iceland News in 2018, Agnieszka Sokołowska, who was on the VG list, was ranked tenth in the local elections, and in 2021 she took 3rd place on behalf of the Socialist organization in the South-West territory in the parliamentary elections[29]. Agnieszka Sokołowski's movement is an crucial event for the full immigrant community in Iceland. Sokolovska, however, failed to decision on and fight for the President's seat.

In addition, he even has his lawyer in the individual of the originator of Angela Rawlings' full venture. It was besides provided for the way the glacier-president would sign. In the country, they would be melted drops of water from itself, and during abroad visits, water closed in a bottle. The aim of this action was to show how crucial the environment is present in a period of climate crisis. It was besides stressed that there may not be a glacier in Iceland in 200 years.[31]. Unless the glacier will surely become the fresh president in 2024, this event indicated what should be a precedence on the list of activities of the fresh head of state.

The Icelandic society faces the challenge of choosing the successor of a respected and popular president. Personality, program, goals – they are only part of the determinants that can influence the decision of voters. Candidates should besides take into account the uniqueness of the country to which they will be chaired on a multifaceted basis, specified as the island situation, which is of crucial economical importance. It is besides crucial that there is simply a deficiency of army in the face of wars and a worrying geopolitical situation, or environmental issues, so crucial in Icelandic society.

Volcanoes, which are a characteristic of the isladic landscape, are not only a tourist attraction but besides a real threat. Iceland's circumstantial location (at the interface of 2 tectonic plates) is not any geological novelty, but a fact commonly known. There is no deficiency of media information on cancelled flights or trips on the island. This situation does not stay indifferent to the economy, especially to the tourism sector, which then ceases to function properly.

The full planet is besides facing climate problems. It is no different in Iceland, and it is for this country that matters, for example, due to the melting glaciers. Studies indicate that in comparative terms the years 2000-2022 were as much as 20.5% warmer than 1977-1999[32]. Further effects are so easy to predict. The subject itself was raised this year – in the already mentioned candidacy of the glacier for president.

The recently elected president will first of all gotta gain public confidence. In the first months it will undoubtedly be compared/ compared to its predecessor. Therefore, the promotion of values close to the Icelandic people, specified as tolerance, sex equality, the regulation of law will definitely gotta guide the fresh head of the state. Current polls indicate that 1 of the women will be the fresh president. So it remains to wait until June 1 to know her name. How about we all have a surprise?

[1] B. Þ. Guðmundsson, Forsetakosningar: Ellefu í framboði en tvö framboð úrskurðuð ogild, RUV, 29.04.201224, https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2024-04-29-forsetakosningar-ellefu-i-frambodi-en-tvo-frambod-urskurdud-ogild-411502 [accessed 19.05.2024].

[2] M. Szewczuk, Guðni wants to follow his heart, Iceland News, 2.01.2024, https://icelandnews.is/information/from-country/gward-want-isc-za-glosm-heart [accessed 19.05.2024].

[3] R. Raczyński, The constitutional order of the Republic of Iceland, ,,Civilisation and Policy’, No 9, 2011 p. 268, https://timespapisma.bg.ug.edu.pl/index.php/civilization/article/view/9603/8629 [accessed 03.04.2024].

[4] M. Szewczuk, Today is the birthday of the erstwhile president of Iceland, Iceland News, 14.05.2020, https://icelandnews.is/information/from-country/to-day-birthday-any-president-island [accessed 03.04.2024].

[5] M. Gibala, Time for change – the president of Iceland will not run for another term, Politics in Norse, 04.01.2024, https://politicsponordycku.pl/2024/01/04/time-for-change-president-island-not-be-candidoval-for-another-terms/ [accessed 03.04.2024].

[6] 97% increase of past professor-turned president’s first 4 months in officiale, Iceland Magazine, 19.12.2016, https://icelandmag.is/article/97-approve-history-professor-turned-presidents-first-four-months-office [accessed 04.04.2024].

[7] Iceland’s president re-elected with 92 percent of the vote, France24, 28.06.2020, https://www.france24.com/en/20200628-iceland-s-president-easy-wins-re-election-with-90-percent-of-votes-partial-results-show [accessed 04.04.2024].

[8] Iceland’s president forced to clarify views on pineapple pizza ban, The Guardian, 17.2.2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/21/icelands-president-would-ban-pineapple-on-pizza-if-he-could [accessed 04.04.2024].

[9] D. Adam, Arnar Þór býður sig ram til forseta, RUV, 03.01.2024, https://www.ruv.is/english/2024-01-03-arnar-thor-is-running-for-president-401108 [accessed 10.04.2024]

[10] B. Sigurðsson, Ástúór Magnússon býður sig frame til forseta ­s­lands, https://www.visir.is/g/20242510316d/astthhor-magnus-son-bydur-sig-frame-til-for-seta-is-lands, Visir, 03.01.2024, [accessed: 12.04.2024].

[11] M. Adamsdóttir, The fight for the office of president of Iceland becomes interesting, RUV Poland, 05.04.20124, https://www.ruv.is/polski/2024-04-05-fight-o-office-president-island-robie-sie-ciekawa-409189 [accessed 08.04.2024].

[12] M. Adamsdóttir, 27 candidates for president of Iceland, RUV Poland, 18.03.2024, https://www.ruv.is/polski/2024-03-18-27-candidate-on-president-island-407777 [accessed 03.04.2024].

[13] Oddur Ævar Gunnarsson , Mikill meiri­hluti vill engan nú­verandi forsetaframbjóðanda, Visir, 26.01.2024, https://www.visir.is/g/20242521014d/mikill-meirihluti-vill-engan-nuverandi-forsetaframbjodanda [accessed 04.04.2024]

[14] Iceland’s prime minister references to run for president, Voa News, 05.04.20124, https://www.voanews.com/a/iceland-s-prime-minister-resigns-to-run-for-president/7558345.html [accessed 12.04.2024].

[15] M. Szewczuk, Record number of Icelandic presidential candidatesi, Iceland News, 27.04.2024, https://icelandnews.is/information/from-country/record-number-candidate-on-President-island [accessed 19.05.2024].

[16]R. Jóhannsson, Katrín og Halla Hrund lækka en Halla Tómasdóttir hækkar mest í nýjum Þjóðarpúls, RUV, 17.05.2024, https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2024-05-17-katrin-og-halla-hrund-laekka-en-halla-tomasdottir-haekkar-mest-i-nyjum-thjodarpuls-413006 [accessed 19.05.2024].

[17] Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Althingi, https://www.althingi.is/altext/cv/is/?nfaerslunr=690 [accessed 19.05.2024].

[18] Katrín Jakobsdóttir Prime Minister of IcelandGovernment of Iceland Prime Minister’s Office, https://www.government.is/library/01-Ministries/Prime-Ministers-Office/Katr%C3%ADn%20 Jakobsd%C3%B3ttir-CV.pdf [accessed 19.05.2024].

[19] R. J. Hrólfsson, Halla Hrund Logadóttir býður sig frame til forseta, RUV, 07.04.2024, https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2024-04-07-halla-hrund-logadottir-bydur-sig-frame-til-forseta-409502 [accessed 19.05.2024].

[20] Logadottir, https://www.logadottir.com/ [accessed 19.05.2024].

[21]R. Böðvarsson, Katrín eða Halla Hrund?, Visir, 13.05.20124, https://www.visir.is/g/20242570115d/katrin-eda-halla-hrund- [accessed 19.05.2024].

[22] Republic of Iceland, http://www.islandia.org.pl/data.html [accessed 05.04.2024].

[23] Candidates in the 2020 election of the president of the Republic of Poland https://president20200628.pkw.gov.pl/president20200628/en/candidates [accessed: 05.04.2024]

[24] R. Raczyński, Body order... p. 263, https://timespapisma.bg.ug.edu.pl/index.php/civilization/article/view/9603/8629 [accessed 05.04.2024].

[25]Vigdis Finnbogadottir Chair Emerita and president of Iceland (1980-1996), the Council of Women planet Leaders, https://www.councilwomenworldleaders.org/vigdiacutes-finnbogadoacutettir.html [accessed 05.04.2024].

[26] M. Szewczuk, The president invites you to Bessastaðir tonight, Iceland News, 18.06.2023, https://icelandnews.is/information/from-country/president-invites-to-bessastadir [accessed 19.05.2024].

[27] M. Kozłowski, Polka wants to be president of Iceland. She is upset by “racism and xenophobia”. “This is hard love”, Newspaper.pl, 16.03.2024,

https://news.gaseta.pl/news/7,114881,30802634,polka-want-to-be-president-island-deneruja-ja-racism.html [accessed 12.04.2024].

[28] M. Szewczuk, Agnieszka Sokołowska – the most crucial thing is tolerance, Iceland News, 10.03.2024, https://icelandnews.is/information/from-country/agnieszka-Sokolowska-the most important-is-tolerance [accessed 12.04.2024].

[29]M. Szewczuk, New candidate for the office of President, Iceland News, 01.03.2024, https://icelandnews.is/information/from-country/new-candidate-on-office-president [accessed 19.05.2024].

[30] The president A glacier candidate in the Icelandic presidential election, Republic of Poland, 15.04.2024, https://climate.rp.pl/oceany-i-glacials/art40158251-glacial-candidatem-in-presidential-election-in-island-complements-formal requirements [accessed 19.05.2024].

[31] D. Štrbowski, A glacier fresh president? The European country crosses the routes, Interia Event 20.04.2024, https://events.interia.pl/foreign/news-glacial-new-president-European-country-crossing-tracks,nId,7463261 [accessed 19.05.2024].

[32]A. Solkowski, Climate change in Iceland, Rumbo Mundo, 08.04.2023, https://rumbomundo.com/en/change-climate-on-island/ [accessed 08.04.2024].

Photo: Canva