Many have governed Iceland as Prime Minister since the country gained independence from Denmark eighty years ago. The vast majority have come from two political parties, the Independence Party and the Progressive Party. The longest-serving Prime Minister is Davíd Oddsson, who held office for thirteen and a half years, from April 1991 to September 2004. The shortest tenure belongs to Benedikt Gröndal, who led a minority government from the Social Democratic Party for only two months, from October to December 1979. Two women, both from the left-wing of Icelandic politics, Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir and Katrín Jakobsdóttir, have served as Prime Minister. One Prime Minister, Björn Thórdarson, was independent, heading a non-parliamentary government when Iceland became an independent nation. He was succeeded by Ólafur Thors of the Independence Party in October 1944, who served several non-consecutive terms until November 1963, when his colleague Bjarni Benediktsson (senior) took over.
A total of twenty-two individuals have served as Prime Minister since the establishment of the republic. With parliamentary elections just a few weeks away, it is expected that a new leader will take over, as polling numbers show significant fluctuations, and public support is in flux.
Iceland, October 21, 2024: A7CR, RX1R II – FE 1.8/135 GM, 2.0/35mm Z
Images & Text: Páll Stefánsson
