The inauguration ceremony for Iceland’s new President
Guðni Th. Jóhannesson. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Eggert Jóhannesson
On 1 August, Iceland will see the inauguration of its first new President in twenty years, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson .
The ceremony will be traditional, not significantly different from the ceremony which takes place every four years at the beginning of a presidential term of office, whether there is a new president or not.
Reykjavik Cathedral. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Eggert Jóhannesson
“This is a formalised ceremony, which has remained fully consistent since the founding of the Icelandic Republic,” says Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office Ágúst Geir Ágústsson.
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The ceremony will begin with a religious ceremony in Reykajvik Cathedral, broadcast live on national radio. This will be followed, around 4pm, by the actual investiture in the Icelandic Parliament building, which will be televised.
The Icelandic Parliament ('Alþingi'). Photo: Iceland Monitor/Ómar Óskarsson
Among those attending the ceremony will be the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, MPs and foreign ambassadors.
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The new President will then emerge onto the famous balcony of the Icelandic Parliament building, where he will be received by the public waiting on Austurvöllur square.
Bessastaðir. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Ómar Óskarsson
Back inside, he will address the nation and attendees. Loudspeakers on Austurvöllur square will relay the speech to those gathered ouside.
Once this is all over, at around 6pm, the President and his family will be conveyed to the Presidential residence of Bessastaðir.
