The decision by five-term president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson to run for re-election this summer, instead of retiring as he had promised in his New Years’ announcement, has completely changed the dynamics of the presidential race. Political commentators believe Ólafur Ragnar will win the June elections with ease, as only one of those who have already announced their interest in running is expected to stand a chance against Ólafur who remains immensely popular. Several hopefuls have already withdrawn their candidacy.
Read more: Breaking: Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson announces he will run for a sixth term as President of Iceland
When Ólafur announced his run fifteen candidates had announced they were running for the office, and at least two candidates were considering whether or not to throw their hats in the ring. The last to announce his candidacy was owner of local hamburger grill, Magnús Ingi Magnússon, who promised a free cheeseburger to potential supporters. Most of the candidates are similar long-shot candidates.
Could win the election with one hand tied behind his back
Most political commentators in Iceland believe Ólafur Ragnar will win the election in June. A professor in political science at the University of Akureyri said in an interview with the local news site visir.is that he believes Ólafur Ragnar “could win the election with one hand tied behind his back”. The one candidate most political commentators believe has any chance of giving Ólafur a run for his money is environmental activist and author Andri Snær Magnason.
Since Ólafur Ragnar made his announcement several candidates have already dropped out of the race. The first to drop out was Guðmundur Franklín Jónsson, the former chairman of the right wing fringe party “Right-Greens” which recently merged with a newly founded nationalist right wing party “National Unity”. In a statement on Facebook, Guðmundur announced his full support of Ólafur Ragnar.
Read more: What you need to know about the rapidly growing field of candidates for the president of Iceland
The second to drop out was Vigfús Bjarni Albertsson, chaplain at the National University Hospital. In an announcement to his supporters on Facebook Vigfús Bjarni said Ólafur’s argument that his leadership was indispensable due to the political and social “instability” only served to cultivate an atmosphere of fear in Icelandic society, and that he would not participate in politics of that sort.
Former Miss Universe, Linda Pétursdóttir, who had been considering a run, also announced she would not be entering the fray, according to the local news site visir.is. The rest of the crowded field remained determined to soldier on, according to a survey by the local news site visir.is as well as that of the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
The decision by five-term president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson to run for re-election this summer, instead of retiring as he had promised in his New Years’ announcement, has completely changed the dynamics of the presidential race. Political commentators believe Ólafur Ragnar will win the June elections with ease, as only one of those who have already announced their interest in running is expected to stand a chance against Ólafur who remains immensely popular. Several hopefuls have already withdrawn their candidacy.
Read more: Breaking: Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson announces he will run for a sixth term as President of Iceland
When Ólafur announced his run fifteen candidates had announced they were running for the office, and at least two candidates were considering whether or not to throw their hats in the ring. The last to announce his candidacy was owner of local hamburger grill, Magnús Ingi Magnússon, who promised a free cheeseburger to potential supporters. Most of the candidates are similar long-shot candidates.
Could win the election with one hand tied behind his back
Most political commentators in Iceland believe Ólafur Ragnar will win the election in June. A professor in political science at the University of Akureyri said in an interview with the local news site visir.is that he believes Ólafur Ragnar “could win the election with one hand tied behind his back”. The one candidate most political commentators believe has any chance of giving Ólafur a run for his money is environmental activist and author Andri Snær Magnason.
Since Ólafur Ragnar made his announcement several candidates have already dropped out of the race. The first to drop out was Guðmundur Franklín Jónsson, the former chairman of the right wing fringe party “Right-Greens” which recently merged with a newly founded nationalist right wing party “National Unity”. In a statement on Facebook, Guðmundur announced his full support of Ólafur Ragnar.
Read more: What you need to know about the rapidly growing field of candidates for the president of Iceland
The second to drop out was Vigfús Bjarni Albertsson, chaplain at the National University Hospital. In an announcement to his supporters on Facebook Vigfús Bjarni said Ólafur’s argument that his leadership was indispensable due to the political and social “instability” only served to cultivate an atmosphere of fear in Icelandic society, and that he would not participate in politics of that sort.
Former Miss Universe, Linda Pétursdóttir, who had been considering a run, also announced she would not be entering the fray, according to the local news site visir.is. The rest of the crowded field remained determined to soldier on, according to a survey by the local news site visir.is as well as that of the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
