Iceland Cancels 2008 Election

Iceland canceled its 2008 presidential election due to a lack of challengers for incumbent Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. Traditionally, incumbent presidents run uncontested.

Iceland has cancelled its 2008 presidential election due to a lack of challengers for incumbent Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. Iceland's government has indicated no challengers filed the necessary paperwork to declare their candidacy by the May 24, 2008 deadline.

Despite what you may think, this is not unusual. Icelandic presidential elections are traditionally uncontested when the incumbent president wants another term in office. Grimsson, during his New Year's day speech, announced his intention to seek a fourth consecutive term in office.

Iceland's Presidency is a largely ceremonial office, as most governmental decisions are made by the Prime Minister. The Constitution does grant the President limited powers, but they are rarely used. Grimsson however, shocked the country in early June 2004 when he vetoed a media ownership law passed by the Althing (Parliament). It was unusual that Grimsson was challenged in the 2004 presidential election by two candidates: businessman and pacifism activist Aspor Magnusson and the unknown Baldur Agustsson. Despite a relatively small turnout of 63%, Grimsson won his third term in a landslide, securing 85.6% of the vote.

One cannot be surprised by this year's lack of challengers when you consider the 2004 election results. Apparently, to lose an election, Grimsson would have had to do something much worse than vetoing a law as he did in 2004. The only question remaining is whether Grimsson will seek an unprecendented fifth term in 2012.

References

"Iceland Cancels Presidential Election." IFES Election Guide - Country Profile: Iceland. May 26, 2008.

The President of Iceland Official Website.