Father and son running for different parties in the coming elections
Father and son from Suðurnes are both running in the coming elections, but for different parties. Composite image
Father and son Ólafur Þór Ólafsson and Júlíus Viggó Ólafsson are both on the candidate list for the upcoming parliamentary elections, but for their respective parties and in their respective constituencies.
Ólafur Þór Ólafsson ranks 5th on the Social Democratic Alliance's list in the Southern Constituency, while his son Júlíus ranks 7th on the list of the Independence Party in the Reykjavik North Constituency.
"I just think it's a bit fun," says Ólafur, when asked what he thinks about being a candidate at the same time as his son.
Got the interest from his dad
"It is gratifying that the boy enjoys the trust of his fellow party members to take a place on the list of candidates in Reykjavík, although I would have preferred that he had found his political path elsewhere than on the right wing of politics," he says.
Ólafur himself has been active in politics for years, but he is the former mayor of Tálknafjörður and the former leader of the Social Democratic Alliance in Sandgerði. His son, Júlíus, has become involved in politics and is now the chairman of Heimdallur, Young Independents.
"I get my interest in politics from my dad, even though our opinions are different. It's naturally very funny in a way that we now find ourselves both running for different parties," says Júlíus in an interview with mbl.is.
It must be considered quite unlikely that Júlíus will sing again at the Social Democratic Alliance's election event, as he did when he was 12 years old. Photo/Ólafur
Singing at the Social Democratic Alliance's election event
Ólafur has long been active in Samfylking, and he got Júlíus to get involved in politics early on.
He sent a journalist a photo of the father and son at the Social Democratic Alliance’s election event in Reykjanesbær in 2013, when Júlíus was 12 years old, where he and Júlíus entertained the guests.
Did something go wrong in his upbringing, how did he end up in the Independence Party after being raised in the Social Democratic Alliance?
"Some may think that I failed in my role as a father, but I still don't feel that way. I have tried to teach all my children critical thinking and to be independent. It is important to acquire knowledge and make decisions based on your conviction. Júlíus Viggó has done exactly that.
I can't help but be proud of the success he has achieved on his political journey, even though his conviction led him away from the path his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather took in politics," says Ólafur.
Still rooting for his dad
When asked if there is now a friendly competition between them about which party will gain more support, Júlíus says:
"Of course, the strategy is to get the most support in our constituency, and even more preferably than other parties, whether it's in my constituency or others. But I'm always rooting for dad, even though I hope his party doesn't do too well."
