Baldur Þórhallsson attempts to become world‘s first democratically elected openly gay head of state
Professor Baldur Þórhallsson has officially launched his presidential bid. If elected, he will make history as the first openly gay democratically elected head of state.
Reykjavik, Iceland - Baldur Þórhallsson, professor of political science at the University of Iceland launched its presidential campaign earlier this month. If elected, Baldur would become the first openly gay head of state in the world democratically elected by popular vote.
Baldur's husband for 28 years is Felix Bergsson. Their two children from previous relationships are Álfrún Perla Baldursdóttir and Guðmundur Felixson. Baldur and Felix have three grandchildren.
Baldur's academic career spans 30 years, during which his research has primarily focused on the foreign policy of small states. His works include the recently published Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs, in which Baldur explains the behaviour of small states in international affairs.
Alongside his academic career, Baldur has openly campaigned for gay rights for decades. Baldur announced his candidacy earlier this month in front of a large audience in a local theatre in Hafnarfjörður, a suburban municipality of Iceland's capital, Reykjavík.
Under Iceland's constitution, the president's role in state affairs is primarily limited to signing laws passed by Iceland's legislature, the Althing, into effect. A refusal to sign laws into effect triggers a national referendum.
Baldur said in his announcement speech that he envisioned the Icelandic presidency as a last line of defence for any attempts, however unlikely they may seem in the present, to undermine or walk back the significant milestones hitherto achieved in human rights, women's rights, gay rights and fundamental rights such which we are so fortunate to be able to take for granted, such as free speech.
Baldur unequivocally stated that he would refer all such attempts to a national referendum and allow the people to have the final say in those matters.
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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.