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Election Date: June 26, 2004

At stake: President

Background

Iceland became independent from Denmark in 1944, and has remained neutral in many forums, refusing to join the European Union (EU).

Prime minister David Oddsson—in office since 1991—remained at the helm after a narrow victory in the parliamentary election held on May 10, 2003. The conservative Independence Party (SSF) placed 22 lawmakers in the 63-seat Great Diet.

Odsson's SSF assembled a coalition government with the Progressive Party (FSF), assuring the alliance a tight majority in the Great Diet with 32 seats. Oddsson was able to retain his position as the longest serving prime minister in Europe.

The Social Alliance (SF) kept its status as the second political force in the country, with 20 lawmakers. Party leader Ingiborg Solrun Gisladottir could not secure a seat in the Great Diet in her bid to become the first female prime minister. Voter turnout was tabled at 87.7 per cent.

Current foreign minister and FSF leader Haldor Asgrimsson will take over as prime minister on Sept. 15, 2004. It is not clear if Oddsson will remain in the government or retire from politics altogether.

In late June 2004, Iceland was scheduled to choose a head of state. The president is regarded as a largely ceremonial dignitary, who is meant to act as a symbol of unity for the nation.

Current president Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has served since 1996, when he substituted the highly popular Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the world's first elected woman head of state. Grimsson—a former finance minister—has advocated for enhanced trade relations.

Since 1952, Iceland's presidential elections have been contests without parties, with candidates running simply as individuals. Traditionally, sitting presidents do not face difficult re-election campaigns. In 2000, the Great Diet conceded a second term to Grimsson without a ballot.

In 2004, two candidates announced their intention to run against Grimsson: former businessman Baldur Agustsson and peace activist Asthor Magnusson.

Although presidents have the right to refuse any legislation that could damage national interests in their view, the provision had never been used. In May, Grimsson used the presidential veto for the first time in Iceland's history. The head of state refused to sign a law that would have restricted ownership of media companies. Prime minister Oddsson was the main proponent of the legislation.

Both politicians have been accused of political wrangling. Opponents of the prime minister claim Oddsson acted unilaterally against Northern Lights Corporation, the country's largest media conglomerate. Others charge that the president's daughter works for Northern Lights' parent company.

The controversial media ownership issue is to be settled in a nationwide referendum. The Great Diet will decide in July how and when the plebiscite will be held.

Grimsson's veto has sparked interest in the election, as many Icelanders disagreed with his rationale. With no serious challengers running, the president's opponents supported a campaign of active abstention, asking people to head to the voting booths and cast blank ballots.

The election took place without any major incidents on Jun. 26. Final results gave Grimsson 85.6 per cent of all valid votes, followed by Agustsson with 12.3 per cent and Magnusson with 1.9 per cent. Blank ballots accounted for 23.3 per cent of all votes.

Political Players

President: Olafur Ragnar Grimsson
Prime minister: David Oddsson - SSF

The president is elected to a four-year term by popular vote. In 2000, the Great Diet decided to give the president another term without an election.

Legislative Branch: The Althing (Great Diet) has 63 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

President - Jun. 26, 2004

Great Diet - May 10, 2003

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