Iceland Chooses Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir as President
Halla Tomasdottir has been elected as the new President of Iceland, succeeding incumbent Gudni Johannesson. Tomasdottir, a businesswoman and CEO of The B Team, received 34% of the votes in the recent election, outperforming former prime minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, who garnered 25% of the votes. Jakobsdottir conceded defeat before all votes were counted, acknowledging Tomasdottir's significant lead.
Tomasdottir's victory marks her as the second woman to hold the presidential office in Iceland, following Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. The president in Iceland, while holding limited political power, plays a crucial role as a unifying figure for the nation. This election occurs against the backdrop of ongoing volcanic eruptions south of the capital Reykjavik, which have necessitated the evacuation of thousands of residents.
