Historian Guðni Th. Jónsson will declare if he runs for the presidency of Iceland in the upcoming elections this coming Thursday, May fifth. His decision is much anticipated as he’s considered the candidate, along with author Andri Snær Magnusson, from the abundant of candidates that have announced so far, to outshine the current president, Ólafur Ragnar Gímsson for his sixth term.
Jónsson’s position is already known, although he hasn’t yet announced his decision there are definite indications that he intents to run; he strongly suggested as much on Facebook and when asked directly he jokingly refused to confirm. His candidacy seems to be the worst kept secret in the race, he´s already considered to be a serious contender.
Guðni Th. Jónsson is an Icelandic historian and associate professor at the faculty of history and philosophy at the University of Iceland. He was born in Reykjavik in 1968, and completed most of his university studies in the UK (Warwick University, Oxford and University of London). In 2003, he moved back to Iceland, and took a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Iceland and then, from 2007 to 2010, became an assistant professor at Reykjavík University. His research and publications have focused on Iceland’s foreign relations and contemporary history.
Jónsson is not the only one contemplating running. Iceland’s ambassador in Paris, France; Berglind Ásgeirsdóttir is said to be seriously considering announcing, which would make her the seventeenth candidate in the race, but a serious runner none the less, with many predicting that her and Jónsson would be competing for the same votes.
One poll suggests that president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson would take 46% of the vote, Guðni Th. Jónsson about 25% and Andri Snær Magnason would have about 15% of the vote. The rest of the candidates seem to have less then two per cent of the vote. One third of the individuals asked are undecided and find that its too soon too answer.