Steingrímur Hermannsson

Steingrímur Hermannsson [ ˈstɛɪ̯nkrimʏr ˈhɛrmanˌsɔn ] (born June 22, 1928 , † February 1, 2010 ) was an Icelandic politician ( Progress Party ) and former Prime Minister of Iceland .

Life

Steingrímur was the son of Hermann Jónasson , who was also Prime Minister of Iceland.

Steingrímur did not want to follow in his father's footsteps, so he went to the USA in 1948, where he studied in Chicago and later at CalTech . Returning to Iceland during the 1960s , he eventually gave in to pressure from friends and relatives and went into politics. He was elected to the Althing , the Icelandic parliament, in 1967 for the Progressive Party . In 1979, during a very turbulent year of Icelandic politics, he became chairman of his party and held that post until 1994.

From 1983 to 1987 Steingrímur was Prime Minister of Iceland, also from 1988 to 1991. He also held the post of Justice Minister, Agriculture Minister, Fisheries Minister, Transport Minister and Foreign Minister on a temporary basis.

He has been an active member of the Heimssýn Association since this EU- critical forum was founded.

His son Guðmundur Steingrímsson (* 1972) is also politically active.

Web links

• www.icelandreview - Former Prime Minister of Iceland Passes Away accessed February 2, 2010

Note: Icelanders are referred to by their first name or first and last name, but not just their surname. Further information can be found under Icelandic personal name .