Political Profile: Iceland
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/3/1/9831530/6178700.gif?466)
Blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the
cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors
represent three of the elements that make up the island: red is for the island's volcanic fires, white
recalls the snow and ice fields of the island, and blue is for the surrounding ocean.
cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors
represent three of the elements that make up the island: red is for the island's volcanic fires, white
recalls the snow and ice fields of the island, and blue is for the surrounding ocean.
Capital: Reykjavik
Independence: June 17, 1944
(from Demark)
National Holidays:
Indeendence Day -June 17th
Government Type:
Constitutional Republic
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Chief of State: President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson
(Since August 1, 1996)
Head of Gov.: Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir
(Since February 1, 2009)
UN Represenative: Greta Gunnarsdottir
Executive Branch: President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term
(no term limits); election last held on 28 June 2004 (next to be held in June
2012); note - the presidential election of 28 June 2008 was not held because
Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON had no challengers; he was sworn in on 1 August 2008;
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader
of the majority coalition usually the prime minister.
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Althingi (parliament) (63 seats; members elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms).
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the
president); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the
president).
Independence: June 17, 1944
(from Demark)
National Holidays:
Indeendence Day -June 17th
Government Type:
Constitutional Republic
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Chief of State: President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson
(Since August 1, 1996)
Head of Gov.: Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir
(Since February 1, 2009)
UN Represenative: Greta Gunnarsdottir
Executive Branch: President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term
(no term limits); election last held on 28 June 2004 (next to be held in June
2012); note - the presidential election of 28 June 2008 was not held because
Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON had no challengers; he was sworn in on 1 August 2008;
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader
of the majority coalition usually the prime minister.
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Althingi (parliament) (63 seats; members elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms).
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the
president); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the
president).
Iceland
Ambassador to Iceland - Ambassador Luis E. Arreaga Embassy Local in Iceland- Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik Location of Consulates in Iceland - None Listed |
U.S.
Ambassador to the U.S. - Ambassador Gudmundur A. Stefansson Embassy Local in the U.S.- House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW #509, Washington, DC 20007 20007Location of Consulates in the U.S. - New York |