Baldur Þórhallsson Poised to Make History as Iceland’s First Openly Gay President
Baldur Þórhallsson leads presidential race, showcases early frontrunner status in latest polls, would become the first openly gay President elected by popular vote.
Reykjavik, Iceland, 16.04.2024 - In the exciting run-up to Iceland’s presidential election, Professor Baldur Þórhallsson has emerged as a frontrunner in the latest opinion polls conducted by Prósents for Morgunblaðið, conducted from April 9-14. The results show Baldur leading with 25.8% support among declared candidates, closely followed by former Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir with 22.1%. Þórhallsson, would become the first openly gay President elected by popular vote.
Despite a narrow margin of 3.7% between them, this lead is not statistically significant due to overlapping confidence intervals, making the race too close to call. Actor and former Mayor Jón Gnarr holds the third position with 16.8%, significantly trailing the leaders, with Halla Hrund Logadóttir, the director of energy affairs, in fourth place with 10.6%.
The polls reflect a broad distribution of support among the candidates, indicating a dynamic and potentially changing landscape as the election approaches. It's important to note that the deadline for candidacy declarations is on April 26, suggesting the potential entry of additional candidates into the race.
Baldur Þórhallsson, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland and a research director at the Centre for Small State Studies, has a profound background that resonates deeply with the Icelandic public. Raised in Rangárvallasýsla, where politics was a daily bread, Baldur developed a passion for domestic and international issues from a young age. His academic work focuses on small states, Icelandic foreign policy, European studies, and international relations, which have prepared him well for the challenges of the presidency.
As Iceland prepares for this pivotal election, Baldur Þórhallsson stands out not only as a scholar but as a candidate deeply connected to the Icelandic community and its values. His leadership qualities, extensive knowledge, and commitment to public service position him as a promising candidate capable of steering Iceland through today's complex global landscape.
Valgeir Magnusson
valgeir@pipar-tbwa.is
+354 8921242
Baldur Þórhallsson, a renowned academic and Professor of Political Science at the University of Iceland, has recently announced his candidacy for President of Iceland. Born on January 25, 1968, in Selfoss, Baldur grew up on Ægissíða farm and completed his primary education in Hella. He holds a PhD and MA in Political Science from the University of Essex, UK.
An influential figure in political science, Baldur founded the Centre for Small State Studies at the University of Iceland and has contributed significantly to research in European integration, Icelandic politics, and the foreign policy of small states. His notable works include "The Role of Small States in the European Union" and "Iceland and European Integration: On the Edge."
Baldur has also advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, aligning his academic career with active social campaigning. He is married to actor Felix Bergsson, and they reside in Reykjavik with their two children and grandchildren.
In his presidential campaign launched in Hafnarfjörður, Baldur emphasized his commitment to safeguarding human rights, including LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and freedom of speech. He promises to act as a vigilant guardian of these rights, leveraging the presidential authority to call national referendums on critical issues. If elected, he will make history as the first openly gay head of state democratically elected by popular vote.
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