Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir Elected as Iceland’s New President

Halla Tomasdottir, a businesswoman and investor, has won Iceland’s presidential election, becoming the nation’s next president. She secured 34.3% of the vote, defeating former Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, who got 25.2%, and Halla Hrund Logadottir, with 15.5%. This election marks a significant milestone for the country, with the top three women candidates.

In Iceland, any citizen can run for office by gathering 1,500 signatures. The presidential race featured a diverse field of 13 candidates, including a political science professor, a comedian, and an Arctic and energy scholar.

Tomasdottir, 55, is currently on leave as CEO of The B Team, a global nonprofit co-founded by UK business tycoon Richard Branson. She will replace President Gudni Th. Johannesson, who did not seek re-election after two terms, will take office on August 1.

The election marks her as Iceland’s second female president. The first was Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the world’s first democratically elected female president in 1980. In recent years also, two women have served as prime ministers.

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