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Last reviewed: 03 April 2009 

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POLITICS

The Icelandic Cabinet comprises:

Prime Minister: Geir H Haarde (IP)
Minister for Foreign Affairs: Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir (SDA)
Minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs: Bjorn Bjarnason (IP)
Minister of Finance: Arni M. Mathiesen (IP)
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture: Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson (IP)
Minister of Fisheries: Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson (IP)
Minister of Industry: Ossur Skarphedinsson (SDA)
Minister of Commerce: Bjorgvin G. Sigurdsson (SDA)
Minister of Health: Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson (IP)
Minister of Social Affairs: Johanna Sigurdardottir (SDA)
Minister of Education, Science and Culture: Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir (IP)
Minister for the Environment: Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir (SDA)
Minister of Transport and Communication: Kristjan L. Moller (SDA)

Elections

Parliamentary elections took place in May 2007. The governing Independence Party again gained the largest share of the vote, which saw a turnout of 83 per cent. The previous junior government coalition partner, the Progressive Party experienced a fall in its share of the vote, so Independence Party leader Geir Haarde turned to the centre-left Social Democratic Alliance (SDA) to form the new government. Haarde retained his position of Prime Minister (a post he has held since 2006) and SDA leader Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir was appointed Foreign Minister. The new coalition has a majority of 21 in the 63 seat Althing, so will have little difficulty in getting its legislation through the uni-cameral parliament. The government is likely to continue with its pro-business and economic liberalisation agenda, though the SDA will bring greater focus on health, welfare and the environment.

President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson was re-elected in June 2004 by 67.5 per cent of those who voted. The turnout was 62.9 per cent - low for Iceland - and 20 per cent of ballot papers were spoiled in protest at the President vetoing a government bill on media ownership. In 1996 President Grimsson succeeded Vigdis Finnbogadottir who became the world's first elected female President in 1980.

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