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Prime Minister of Iceland
Coat of arms of Iceland.svg
Kristrún Frostadóttir 2021.jpg
Incumbent
Kristrún Frostadóttir

since 21 December 2024
Prime Minister's Office
Style
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

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.

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
Took Office Left Office Days
25 Bilden ar tagen vid Nordiska radets session i Oslo, 2003.jpg Davíð Oddsson
(born 1948)
30 April
1991
15 September
2004
4887 Independence Party Ólafur
Ragnar
Grímsson

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, September 2011 (cropped).jpeg
(1996–2016)
26 Halldor Asgrimsson generalsekreterare Nordiska ministerradet.jpg Halldór Ásgrímsson
(1947–2015)
15 September
2004
15 June
2006
638 Progressive Party
27 Geir H. Haarde Islands utrikesminister (cropped).png Geir Haarde
(born 1951)
15 June
2006
1 February
2009
962 Independence Party
28 Johanna sigurdardottir official portrait.jpg Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
(born 1942)
1 February
2009
23 May
2013
1572 Social Democratic Alliance
29 Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson 2013.jpg Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson
(born 1975)
23 May
2013
7 April
2016
1049 Progressive Party
30 Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson 2016.jpg Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson
(born 1962)
7 April
2016
11 January
2017
280 Progressive Party Guðni
Thorlacius
Jóhannesson

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (cropped).jpg
(2016–2024)
31 Bjarni Benediktsson 2016.jpg Bjarni Benediktsson
(born 1970)
11 January
2017
30 November
2017
323 Independence Party
32 Katrín Jakobsdóttir 2017.jpg Katrín Jakobsdóttir
(born 1976)
30 November
2017
9 April
2024
2322 Left-Green Movement
9 April
2024
21 December
2024
256 Left-Green Movement
(31) Bjarni Benediktsson - 2023 (cropped).jpg Bjarni Benediktsson
(born 1970)
9 April
2024
21 December
2024
256 Independence Party Halla
Tómasdóttir

Halla Tómasdóttir at Arctic Circle 2024 cropped.jpg
(2024–present)
33 Kristrún Frostadóttir 2021.jpg Kristrún Frostadóttir
(born 1988)
21 December
2024
Incumbent 188 Social Democratic Alliance

Timeline of Prime Ministers

Katrín Jakobsdóttir Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970) Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir Geir Haarde Halldór Ásgrímsson Davíð Oddsson Þorsteinn Pálsson Steingrímur Hermannsson Gunnar Thoroddsen Benedikt Sigurðsson Gröndal Geir Hallgrímsson Ólafur Jóhannesson Jóhann Hafstein Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1908) Emil Jónsson Steingrímur Steinþórsson Stefán Jóhann Stefánsson Björn Þórðarson Ólafur Thors Hermann Jónasson Ásgeir Ásgeirsson Tryggvi Þórhallsson Jón Þorláksson Magnús Guðmundsson Sigurður Eggerz Jón Magnússon (politician)


See also

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