Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson decided to reconsider his earlier decision to quit when a petition carrying 30,000 signatures from his supporters, who urge him to run for a fifth term, was handed to him last week. This was reported by visir.is yesterday.
President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson. Photo PK.
Ólafur said that one of the reasons for his decision is the uncertainty surrounding the current Icelandic administration. However, if these uncertainties will be resolved in the next few years, he will most likely retire before the end of the four-year term.
Ólafur also said that some changes to the constitution are intended in the near future, which causes uncertainty regarding the role of the presidential office in the future and therefore it is difficult for presidential candidates to run for office under these circumstances.
Morgunblaðið reported today that if Ólafur is re-elected as President, he will be the longest serving in the nation’s history. He has already served four terms, or 16 years. Ásgeir Ásgeirsson also served four terms, in 1952-1968, as well as Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, 1980-1996.
The presidential election will be held on June 30th.
HBB
