Halla Tómasdóttir is the seventh president of Iceland and the second woman to hold the office. She was inaugurated on August 1, 2024. Halla aims to be a president who empowers people to participate in society and foster national unity. She acknowledges the evolving role of the presidency and is eager to learn and collaborate with colleagues and citizens alike to activate the office for the common good.
"I have a lot to learn and am excited to work with colleagues and diverse groups throughout society," Halla said. "We need to activate the office for good."
Halla emphasizes her humble approach to the presidency, recognizing that her primary role is to serve Iceland's interests. She is committed to asking insightful questions and working collaboratively with others. She notes a decline in trust in societal institutions and believes that reconnecting people through mutual respect and understanding is crucial.
"This is how we win trust,"she stated. "Trust grows when we connect with each other on what really matters."
Strengthening trust in society is a key focus for Halla. She has always valued engaging with young people, ensuring they have a voice in shaping their future. "They want a seat at the table and to participate in shaping their future," Halla noted. She also stresses the importance of intergenerational cooperation, highlighting the need to listen to older generations.
Halla advocates for new approaches to international cooperation, urging states to work together more constructively. "I will always be an advocate for the interests of Iceland and Icelanders at home and abroad," she affirmed.
She believes that if Icelanders aspire to be a role model for others, they must engage in meaningful dialogue and form a shared vision. "If we choose to be a peaceful nation, with soft values on the agenda, we can be a model for others in a hard world," Halla added.
With parliamentary elections scheduled for next year, Halla stresses the importance of having a president who builds bridges and fosters constructive collaboration. She believes it is impossible to predict which political party will receive the mandate to form a government solely based on vote counts. "I would be a president who lives up to the constitutional responsibility of ensuring a functioning government," she said. The president must assess who has the ability to form a functional government and focus on uniting people to find solutions before considering a veto.
Who is Halla Tómasdóttir
Halla Tómasdóttir was born in Reykjavík 11. October 1968.
Halla graduated with a commercial degree from the Commercial College of Iceland in the spring of 1986. She then moved to the United States as an exchange student, where she completed her high school diploma. In the spring of 1989, she earned a matriculation degree from Fjölbrautaskólinn at Ármúli. Halla went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in business administration, focusing on management and human resources, from Auburn University in Montgomery, USA, in 1993, followed by an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in 1995. She pursued doctoral studies in leadership at Cranfield University in the UK.
After graduating, Halla worked in human resources and management at M&M/Mars and Pepsi. Following a ten-year stay in the United States, she returned to Iceland and became the human resources manager at the Icelandic Radio Society. Shortly after, she joined the University of Reykjavík, where she played a key role in structuring the university, establishing a management school, and creating continuous HR training programs. She also led the project “Auður í krafti kvenna” (Empowering Women) and taught courses in change management and entrepreneurship.
In 2006-2007, Halla served as the executive director of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce. She then founded Auður Capital, a financial company aimed at introducing a more human-centric approach to finance. Halla was one of the nine founders of Mauraþúfan, which organized the National Assembly in Laugardalshöll in 2009, and she has organized international conferences, particularly on gender equality.
From 2018 to 2024, Halla was the director of The B Team, an international non-profit organization that promotes responsible business practices and collaboration among governments, the private sector, and citizens to address major challenges like climate change and inequality. She assumed office as President of Iceland on August 1, 2024.
Halla has received numerous accolades, including recognition from the Association of Women in Business and awards for her teaching at the MBA level. She received equality recognition from the city of Kópavogur and, in 2009, was named one of Europe's female entrepreneurs by Cartier, McKinsey, and INSEAD, alongside Kristína Pétursdóttir. Halla has delivered numerous public lectures, including TED Talks, and has contributed to media outlets such as TIME, Fortune, and CNN on topics of responsible leadership. In 2023, she published the book "Hugrekki" (Courage) to inspire change. Halla has also served on several boards, including Veritas Capital, Ölgerðin, Hjallastefnan, Reykjavík University, Calidris, and the Leifur Eiríksson Foundation.
Halla is married to Björn Skúlason, a business analyst, and they have two children, Tómas Bjartur and Auður Ína.
The Role of the President of Iceland
The President of Iceland is the head of state and the highest official of the Republic of Iceland. Elected nationally for a four-year term, the president is the only official elected by direct election. According to Iceland's constitution, the president holds supreme executive power and shares legislative power. However, in practice, the president's role in legislation and government actions is largely ceremonial, with no substantive involvement. The president can influence government formation negotiations and appoint an extra-parliamentary government if necessary. Additionally, the president has the power to refuse confirmation of a bill from Alþingi and submit it to a referendum, which has occurred three times in history.
Most presidential duties are symbolic, with the office serving as a symbol of national unity. Traditional responsibilities include addressing the nation on New Year's Day, opening the Alþingi, formally appointing the Alþingi, and awarding various honors. The president also welcomes foreign heads of state and makes official visits abroad. The president's residence is at Bessastaðir in Álftanes, with an office in the Stastadað building at Sóleyjargata 1 in Reykjavík. The president's birthday is celebrated as Icelandic Flag Day.
Former Presidents of Iceland
Since the office was established on June 17, 1944, six individuals have held the presidency. The first was Sveinn Björnsson, followed by Ásgeir Ásgeirsson and Kristján Eldjárn. In 1980, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir became the first female head of state in the world. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson served from 1996 to 2016, the longest tenure in Icelandic history. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson was elected in 2016 and served until 2024. Halla Tómasdóttir was elected on June 1, 2024, and took office on August 1, 2024.
Source: RUV.is, Forseti Íslands
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