Halla Tomasdottir, a successful businesswoman and investor, has emerged victorious in Iceland’s presidential election, surpassing a competitive field of candidates where the top three contenders were all women, as reported by the country’s national broadcast service.
At 55 years old, Tomasdottir secured the largely symbolic position with 34.3 percent of the votes, triumphing over former Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, who garnered 25.2 percent, and Halla Hrund Logadottir, with 15.5 percent, according to RUV’s announcement on Sunday.
Currently on a hiatus from her role as the CEO of The B Team, a global nonprofit organization co-founded by renowned UK entrepreneur Richard Branson, Tomasdottir is dedicated to advocating for business practices that prioritize humanity and the environment, with operational bases in New York and London.
In Iceland’s parliamentary republic, the president’s role is primarily ceremonial, serving as a guardian of the constitution and national harmony. Nevertheless, the president retains the authority to veto legislation or refer it to a public vote.
Tomasdottir’s campaign emphasized her nonpartisan stance and her ability to facilitate dialogues on crucial topics such as the impact of social media on youth mental health, Iceland’s evolution as a tourist hotspot, and the implications of artificial intelligence.
Following President Gudni Th Johannesson’s decision not to seek re-election after two terms, Tomasdottir is set to assume office on August 1, succeeding him.
Iceland’s Second Female President
Iceland, a picturesque Nordic island nation nestled in the North Atlantic, boasts a rich history of electing women to prominent positions.
Vigdis Finnbogadottir made history as the world’s first democratically elected female president in 1980 when she assumed leadership in Iceland.
Moreover, the country has witnessed two female prime ministers in recent times, offering stability amidst periods of political unrest.
Johanna Sigurdardottir steered the government from 2009 to 2013, navigating Iceland through the aftermath of the global financial crisis that shook its economy.
In 2017, Jakobsdottir, aged 48, took the helm as prime minister, spearheading a diverse coalition that…
Article from www.aljazeera.com