Oddný Harðardóttir, chair of the Social Democratic Alliance, resigned yesterday. She announced her decision on RÚV’s Rás 2 radio yesterday afternoon, following a meeting with President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson. The vice chairman, Logi Einarsson, takes over the party leadership.
The party suffered a major loss of support in Saturday’s parliamentary election, receiving only 5.8 percent of the vote, or three MPs. By contrast, Social Democrats had nine MPs following the 2013 election.
Oddný explained she had taken on a leadership role in the party five months ago, when Social Democrats were undergoing great difficulties. In those months, turning that situation around had not been accomplished, and she admitted the result of the election was very disappointing.
“The decisive result of the election does, however, call for a decisive reaction. That is why I have decided to step aside as chair of the Social Democratic Alliance,” she stated.
Oddný stated it’s obvious that the Social Democratic Alliance is not on its way into government, but that the party’s MPs support all good causes. The party, she said, is ready to support a government of reform.
