Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson gives the welcome speech to The Reykjavík Congress on Human Rights 2013 Norðurljós, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center (Iceland, Reykjavík, April 10th - 13th, 2013)

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
President of Iceland
Assumed office 1 August 1996
Prime Minister	Davíð Oddsson Halldór Ásgrímsson Geir Haarde Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson
Preceded by	Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
Mayor of Reykjavik
In office 27 May 1982 – 16 July 1991
Preceded by	Egill Skúli Ingibergsson
Succeeded by	Markús Örn Antonsson
Personal details
Born	17 January 1948 (age 66) Reykjavík, Iceland
Nationality	Icelandic
Political party	Independence Party

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson is the fifth President of Iceland.

Biography

He was elected in the 2000 elections, re-elected for a third term in 2004, re-elected for a fourth term in 2008 and re-elected for a record fifth term in 2012. As part of the left-wing People’s Alliance, Ólafur was a Member of Althingi for Reykjavík from 1978 to 1983. During this time he was Chairman of the People’s Alliance parliamentary group from 1980 to 1983. Additionally, from 1983 to 1985 he was editor of the newspaper Þjóðviljinn. He served as the Minister of Finance from 1988 to 1991. Ólafur has identified the 2009 financial crisis, the need for a green energy revolution, and climate change as the three most pressing issues in today’s world. In relation to his efforts on these issues Ólafur has participated in the Global Creative Leadership Summit, organized by the Louise Blouin Foundation, in 2007 and 2008. He was also awarded the Louise Blouin Award for Creative and Cultural Achievement.

Education

From 1962 to 1970, he studied economics and political science at the University of Manchester; in 1970 he was the first person from Iceland to earn a PhD in political science. He became a lecturer in political science at the University of Iceland in 1970, then a Professor of Political Science at the same university in 1973. He was the University's first Professor of Political Science.

Further Information

A Welcome speech by President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, on International Responses to Human Rights Abuses The Reykjavík Congress on Human Rights 2013 Norðurljós, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center (Iceland, Reykjavík, April 10th - 13th, 2013)

External Links and References

ICD webpage and profile

Party political offices
Preceded by Svavar Gestsson	Leader of the People's Alliance 1987–1995	Succeeded by Margrét Frímannsdóttir
Political offices
Preceded by John Gummer as Secretary of State for the Environment	Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 1997–2001	Succeeded by Margaret Beckett as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Preceded by George Young as Secretary of State for Transport		Succeeded by Stephen Byers as Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
Preceded by Michael Heseltine	Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1997–2007	Vacant Title next held by Nick Clegg
Vacant Title last held by Michael Heseltine	First Secretary of State 2001–2007	Vacant Title next held by The Lord Mandelson</tbody>