Day of the President of Iceland
Description:
May 14 is the birthday of Icelandic President Olavur (Ulafur) Ragnar Grimsson, which is considered a flag day. (Flag-days - holidays and memorable dates, in honor of which the state flag is raised in places established by law).
Olavur Ragnar Grimsson was born on May 14, 1943 in the small Icelandic town of Isafjordur in the family of a hairdresser. After graduating from the capital's gymnasium, he studied in the UK and received a bachelor's degree in economics and political science at the University of Manchester (1965), and in 1970 became a doctor of political science. Since 1973 - Professor at the University of Iceland.
Grimsson’s political career began in 1966 with his membership in the youth organization of the Progressive Party, and in 1976 he became a member of the People’s Union (NU), then known as the Icelandic Socialist Party.
In 1978, he was first elected to the Althing, headed the parliamentary faction of the NS party, in 1987-1995 - chairman of the People's Union party. Grimsson was one of the authors of political programs on radio and television, wrote editorials in the party press and gradually became a prominent politician of the left movement in the country.
In 1988-1991, Grimsson served as Minister of Finance in the government of Steingrimour Hermansson; participated in the work of the Assembly of the Council of Europe (1980-1984), headed the international non-governmental organization Parliamentarians for Global Action (1984). For his active work as chairman of this organization, speaking from the standpoint of peace and universal security, he was awarded the Indira Gandhi International Peace Prize in 1987.
Olavur Grimsson was elected President of Iceland on 29 June 1996. In the elections, he represented the People’s Union party. For him voted 40.9 percent of voters who took part in the vote. He took office on August 1, 1996, and in August 2000 his term was extended without a vote.
The president of Iceland knows Russia well, having visited the Soviet Union several times before. In December 1993, he was in Russia as an observer for the Council of Europe in the elections to the State Duma.
Personal. His wife Gudrun Katrin Thorbergsdottir died in 1998. She has two twin daughters.
Olavur Ragnar Grimsson was born on May 14, 1943 in the small Icelandic town of Isafjordur in the family of a hairdresser. After graduating from the capital's gymnasium, he studied in the UK and received a bachelor's degree in economics and political science at the University of Manchester (1965), and in 1970 became a doctor of political science. Since 1973 - Professor at the University of Iceland.
Grimsson’s political career began in 1966 with his membership in the youth organization of the Progressive Party, and in 1976 he became a member of the People’s Union (NU), then known as the Icelandic Socialist Party.
In 1978, he was first elected to the Althing, headed the parliamentary faction of the NS party, in 1987-1995 - chairman of the People's Union party. Grimsson was one of the authors of political programs on radio and television, wrote editorials in the party press and gradually became a prominent politician of the left movement in the country.
In 1988-1991, Grimsson served as Minister of Finance in the government of Steingrimour Hermansson; participated in the work of the Assembly of the Council of Europe (1980-1984), headed the international non-governmental organization Parliamentarians for Global Action (1984). For his active work as chairman of this organization, speaking from the standpoint of peace and universal security, he was awarded the Indira Gandhi International Peace Prize in 1987.
Olavur Grimsson was elected President of Iceland on 29 June 1996. In the elections, he represented the People’s Union party. For him voted 40.9 percent of voters who took part in the vote. He took office on August 1, 1996, and in August 2000 his term was extended without a vote.
The president of Iceland knows Russia well, having visited the Soviet Union several times before. In December 1993, he was in Russia as an observer for the Council of Europe in the elections to the State Duma.
Personal. His wife Gudrun Katrin Thorbergsdottir died in 1998. She has two twin daughters.