Prime Minister of Iceland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Iceland |
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Prime Minister's Office | |
Style |
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Member of |
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Seat | Reykjavík, Iceland |
Appointer | President |
Term length | No term limit |
Constituting instrument |
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Precursor | Minister for Iceland |
Inaugural holder | Jón Magnússon |
Formation | 1 February 1904 |
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.
Contents
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.
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Stjórnarráðið in Reykjavík, the Prime Minister's Office
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 | ![]() |
Davíð Oddsson (born 1948) |
30 April 1991 |
15 September 2004 |
4887 | Independence Party | Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson ![]() (1996–2016) |
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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) |
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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 | ||
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) |
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33 | ![]() |
Kristrún Frostadóttir (born 1988) |
21 December 2024 |
Incumbent | 188 | Social Democratic Alliance |
Timeline of Prime Ministers

See also
- List of Rulers of Iceland
- Cabinet of Iceland
Images for kids
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Hannes Hafstein, Iceland's first Prime Minister