New president of Iceland? A historian.
Icelanders elected historian Gudni Johannesson on Saturday as their first new president in 20 years, amid distrust of politicians and business leaders after the 2008 global financial crisis and the Panama papers scandal.
The final count showed 39% of Icelanders voted for Johannesson as president, public broadcaster RUV reported. The post is largely ceremonial but does carry powers to block legislation.
Contenders included a former prime minister and central bank governor.
Johannesson, a lecturer at the University of Iceland who has said he has never been a member of a political party, will take office on Aug. 1.
HNN Editor: Who is Guðni Johannesson? This is from his campaign website:
Guðni Johannesson is an associate professor of history at the University of Iceland. He has taught at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, Bifröst University and the University of London. Guðni has written numerous books, including works about the Cod Wars and the Icelandic presidency. He has also written numerous books and essays on Iceland’s history. These include a biography of former prime minister Gunnar Thoroddsen and Óvinir Ríkisins (“Enemies of the State”). Both of these books were nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize. Guðni also wrote the book Völundarhús valdsins(“The Maze of Power”) on Kristján Eldjárn’s presidency and the bestseller Hrunið (“The Collapse”).