Prime Minister of Iceland Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Iceland
Coat of arms of Iceland
Incumbent Kristrún Frostadóttir since 21 December 2024
Prime Minister's Office
Style	Madam Prime Minister (informal) Her Excellency (diplomatic)
Member of	State Council of Iceland Cabinet of Iceland
Seat	Reykjavík, Iceland
Appointer	President
Term length	No term limit
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Iceland Law on the Cabinet of Iceland
Precursor	Minister for Iceland
Inaugural holder	Jón Magnússon
Formation	1 February 1904; 121 years ago (1904-02-01)
Salary	2,021,825 kr/US$ 14,038 monthly
Website

The prime minister of Iceland (Icelandic: Forsætisráðherra Íslands) is the main leader of the government in Iceland. This important role is like being the head of a team that runs the country. The president of Iceland officially chooses the prime minister. Together with the other government ministers, the prime minister makes sure the country's laws are followed and that everything runs smoothly. They need the support of the parliament (Iceland's main law-making body) to do their job.

How the Prime Minister is Chosen
- The Constitution's Role
Where the Prime Minister Works and Lives
- Official Buildings
A Look at Past Prime Ministers
- Early Leaders (1904–1944)
- Prime Ministers of the Republic (1944–Present)
Timeline of Prime Ministers
See also
Images for kids

How the Prime Minister is Chosen

The Constitution's Role

The prime minister is chosen by the President based on Iceland's main rulebook, called the Constitution of Iceland. Article 17 of the Constitution says that the President picks a minister to lead the government meetings. This person is then called the Prime Minister. It's a bit like the President choosing the captain of the country's team.

Where the Prime Minister Works and Lives

Official Buildings

The prime minister's main office is in a building called the Governing Council (Stjórnarráðið) in Reykjavík, the capital city. This is where their staff works and where important government meetings happen.

The prime minister also has a special summer home called Þingvallabær. It's located in Þingvellir, a beautiful national park. There's also a reception house in Tjarnargata, Reykjavík, which was once the prime minister's home until 1943.

Stjórnarráðið in Reykjavík, the Prime Minister's Office
Þingvallabær, the Prime Minister's summer residence

A Look at Past Prime Ministers

Iceland has had many prime ministers throughout its history. They have led the country through different times, from when it was a self-governing region to becoming a fully independent republic.

Early Leaders (1904–1944)

Iceland's first prime minister, Jón Magnússon, took office in 1904. Before that, Iceland was ruled by Denmark. From 1918 to 1944, Iceland was a kingdom, but it still had its own prime minister. During this time, leaders like Hannes Hafstein and Ólafur Thors helped shape the country.

Political parties that led the government during this period: Home Rule Party Independence Party Conservative Party Progressive Party Independent

Prime Ministers of the Republic (1944–Present)

In 1944, Iceland became a republic, meaning it was fully independent with its own president. Since then, many people have served as prime minister, leading the country through modern challenges and changes.

Political parties that have led the government since 1944: Independence Party Progressive Party Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Alliance Left-Green Movement

No.	Picture	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office			Political Party	President
No.	Picture	Name (Born–Died)	Took Office	Left Office	Days	Political Party	President
25		Davíð Oddsson (born 1948)	30 April 1991	15 September 2004	4887	Independence Party	Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (1996–2016)
26		Halldór Ásgrímsson (1947–2015)	15 September 2004	15 June 2006	638	Progressive Party
27		Geir Haarde (born 1951)	15 June 2006	1 February 2009	962	Independence Party
28		Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (born 1942)	1 February 2009	23 May 2013	1572	Social Democratic Alliance
29		Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (born 1975)	23 May 2013	7 April 2016	1049	Progressive Party
30		Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson (born 1962)	7 April 2016	11 January 2017	280	Progressive Party		Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson (2016–2024)
31		Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970)	11 January 2017	30 November 2017	323	Independence Party
32		Katrín Jakobsdóttir (born 1976)	30 November 2017	9 April 2024	2322	Left-Green Movement
32		Katrín Jakobsdóttir (born 1976)	9 April 2024	21 December 2024	256	Left-Green Movement
(31)		Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970)	9 April 2024	21 December 2024	256	Independence Party	Halla Tómasdóttir (2024–present)
33		Kristrún Frostadóttir (born 1988)	21 December 2024	Incumbent	195	Social Democratic Alliance	Halla Tómasdóttir (2024–present)

Timeline of Prime Ministers

Images for kids

Hannes Hafstein, Iceland's first Prime Minister
Björn Jónsson
Kristján Jónsson
Sigurður Eggerz
Einar Arnórsson
Jón Magnússon
Magnús Guðmundsson
Jón Þorláksson
Tryggvi Þórhallsson
Ásgeir Ásgeirsson
Hermann Jónasson
Ólafur Thors
Björn Þórðarson
Stefán Jóhann Stefánsson
Steingrímur Steinþórsson
Emil Jónsson
Bjarni Benediktsson
Jóhann Hafstein
Geir Hallgrímsson
Steingrímur Hermannsson
Þorsteinn Pálsson

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Prime Minister of Iceland facts for kids

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