Iceland – Presidential election

Iceland held its presidential election on Friday. The incumbent, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, was easily returned for a fifth term. The result was somewhat of a surprise, because the polls had shown him under pressure.

Here is the result:

  • Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, 52.78%
  • Þóra Arnórsdóttir,  33.16%
  • Ari Trausti Guðmundsson 8,64%
  • Herdís Þorgeirsdóttir 2,63%
  • Andrea Ólafsdóttir 1,8%
  • Hannes Bjarnason 0,98%

Interestingly, the draft of the new Icelandic constitution, which is available here, states that the president shall serve for no more than three terms. Iceland Review reports that a referendum on the new constitution will take place no later than 20 October. It is also reporting that President Grímsson is opposing the referendum on the grounds that there is not enough consensus on the document.

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