Davíð Oddsson

From Freepedia

Davíð Oddsson (born 17 January 1948, in Reykjavík, Iceland) is an Icelandic politician and the longest serving Prime Minister of Iceland (1991–2004). He then served as the Minister of foreign affairs in Iceland from 2004 to 2005.

He graduated from the gymnasium Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík in 1970 and from the law faculty of the University of Iceland in 1976.

He served as mayor of Reykjavík from 1982 to 1991 as head of an Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) majority, then became Prime Minister of Iceland as head of four coalition governments. After the elections of 2003, it was agreed that Davíð would cede his office in September 2004 to Halldór Ásgrímsson, the head of the junior coalition partner Progressive Party (Framsóknarflokkurinn). Davíð made an announcement 7 september 2005 that he is withdrawing from politics, the vice-chairman of the party and the current minister of finance Geir Haarde took over the foreign ministry later that month and is expected to succeed Davíð as the chairman of the party at the next general meeting. Davíð's new job will be that of Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Iceland, the most powerful post within that institution.

Although educated as a lawyer and serving as a politician for most of his working life, Davíð Oddsson has never laid aside his literary enthusiasm: during his days in office he has authored several plays and short stories, as well as some poetry.

Politically, Davíð has championed the Icelandic right-wing cause presiding over privatization of multiple government owned corporations. He is the only member of parliament in the history of Icelandic politics who has never held a seat without being a minister as well (mainly as prime-minister).

Davíðs political achievements are far from beeing undisputed. Opposition critics have maintained that he should be held responsible for obscuring distinction between the legislative, judiciary and executive powers. He has also been criticised for disregarding proper democratic processes in recent controversies over political issues as the fish quota, legislative constraints on the free media, support of the U.S. led invasion of Iraq, the building of Hydro-electric power-plants and aluminium factories in nature resorts.

Though these matters have raised some controversy, it does not look like it has affected Davíð Oddsson's popularity within his own party. At the latest party conference he received 98% of the party leader votes. Because the Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) has had important role in past coalition governments, Davíð Oddsson's influence will remain important in Iceland’s future.

In foreign affairs Davíð has been pro-American from the start and a staunch NATO supporter. He is opposed to Icelandic membership of the European Union.