Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir Wins Iceland’s Presidential Election, Continuing Tradition of Female Leadership

Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir has been elected as Iceland’s president, succeeding Gudni Th. Johannesson. Tomasdottir, 55, won the largely ceremonial post with 34.3 per cent of the vote, surpassing former Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and Halla Hrund Logadottir. Her campaign focused on nonpartisan leadership and addressing pressing issues such as the impact of social media on youth mental health, Iceland’s tourism growth, and the role of artificial intelligence. This election reaffirms Iceland’s tradition of electing women to top positions, with Vigdis Finbogadottir being the world’s first democratically elected female president in 1980. Tomasdottir’s background includes co-founding Audur Capital, an investment firm that thrived during the financial crisis, and her current role at the B Team, a nonprofit advocating workplace diversity. She is set to take office on August 1, continuing Iceland’s legacy of female leadership and stability in governance.