Iceland: The national broadcast service of Iceland announces that Halla Tomasdottir, an investor and businesswoman, has emerged victorious in the presidential election of Iceland, defeating a field of contenders that included three women in the top three positions.
Tomasdottir, 55, defeated former prime minister Katrin Jakobsdottir (25.2 percent) and Halla Hrund Logadottir (15.5 percent) to win the mostly ceremonial position with 34.3 percent of the vote, RUV reported on Sunday.
Tomasdottir is now on leave from her position as CEO of The B Team, a global nonprofit organization with offices in New York and London that was formed by British business magnate Richard Branson to promote business practices that prioritize people and the environment.
In the parliamentary republic of Iceland, the president serves mostly ceremonially as a protector of the constitution and the country’s unity. However, he or she has the authority to veto legislation or put it up for a vote.
During her campaign, Tomasdottir presented herself as someone who was beyond party politics and could facilitate dialogue on important topics including the impact of artificial intelligence, the growth of Iceland as a travel destination, and the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
She will succeed President Gudni Th Johannesson, who served two four-year terms before deciding not to run for reelection. On August 1, Tomasdottir will begin her tenure.
When Vigdis Finnbogadottir took office as Iceland’s head of state in 1980, she became the first female head of state to be elected democratically.
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