Category: Politics and Society

First Lady Eliza Reid and President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson.

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson Reelected President

29 Jun Guðni Th. Jóhannesson was reelected president of Iceland Saturday, receiving an overwhelming majority of the vote.

Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson.

Poll Shows 93.5 Percent Support for President

25 Jun In a new Gallup poll, conducted June 11-18, 93.5 percent of respondents state they intend to vote for President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson in Saturday’s presidential election.

Minister for the Environment Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson.

Iceland’s New Climate Action Plan Introduced

24 Jun The Icelandic government introduced an updated version of its climate action plan yesterday.

Schengen’s External Borders Closed Till July 1

10 Jun It was confirmed last night by Icelandic Minister of Justice Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir that the European Commission has decided to keep the external borders of the Schengen area, of which Iceland is part, closed through the end of June.

Will Schengen Travel Restrictions Be Extended till July 1?

9 Jun Preparations are in full swing for the opening of Iceland’s borders June 15, but until now, it has not been very clear how the opening of the borders will affect tourists from outside the Schengen area.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir.

Bill to Limit Right to Reimbursement Lacks Support

5 Jun A controversial bill, allowing travel agencies to refund canceled package tours by issuing credit vouchers instead of paying cash, is not expected to be approved by Alþingi.

Thousands Protest in Austurvöllur

4 Jun Between 3,500 and 5,000 people gathered in Austurvöllur square, Reykjavík, yesterday to express solidarity with those who have in recent days protested police brutality against black people in the US.

Iceland Confirms Plans to Ease Restrictions for Arriving Tourists

2 Jun The June 15 easing of restrictions regarding arriving passengers in Iceland was just announced by the Icelandic government.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson.

More Borders to Open to Icelanders

2 Jun “Things are slowly moving in the right direction.”

ISK 300 Billion Deficit Expected in 2020

28 May The Icelandic Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs predicts the government deficit this year will amount to ISK 300 billion.

President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, left, and Guðmundur Franklín Jónsson.

Two Candidates for President

27 May A presidential election will take place in Iceland on Saturday, June 27.

Testing Passengers is Doable but Capacity Limited

27 May At a meeting yesterday, the Icelandic government agreed to continue preparations for the screening of passengers for the novel coronavirus upon arrival, beginning June 15.