Davíð Oddsson
Davíð Oddsson | |
|---|---|
Davíð in 2001 | |
| Prime Minister of Iceland | |
| In office 30 April 1991 – 15 September 2004 | |
| President | |
| Preceded by | Steingrímur Hermannsson |
| Succeeded by | Halldór Ásgrímsson |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 15 September 2004 – 27 September 2005 | |
| Prime Minister | Halldór Ásgrímsson |
| Preceded by | Halldór Ásgrímsson |
| Succeeded by | Geir Haarde |
| 10th Mayor of Reykjavik | |
| In office 27 May 1982 – 16 July 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Egill Skúli Ingibergsson |
| Succeeded by | Markús Örn Antonsson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1948 Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Died | 1 March 2026 (aged 78) Skerjafjörður, Iceland |
| Party | Independence Party |
| Alma mater | University of Iceland |
Davíð Oddsson (pronounced [ˈtaːvið ˈɔtsɔn]; 17 January 1948 – 1 March 2026) was an Icelandic politician, and the longest-serving prime minister of Iceland, in office from 1991 to 2004. From 2004 to 2005 he served as foreign minister and as the chairman for the Independence Party from 1991 to 2005. Previously, he was Mayor of Reykjavík from 1982 to 1991, and chaired the board of governors of the Central Bank of Iceland from 2005 to 2009. The 2008–2011 Icelandic financial crisis led to vocal demands for his resignation, both from members of the Icelandic public and from the new Icelandic Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, which resulted in his being replaced as head of the Central Bank in March 2009.
In September 2009 he was hired as the editor of Morgunblaðið, one of Iceland's largest newspapers, a decision that caused nationwide controversy and was followed by resignations and widespread terminated subscriptions. He contested the election for President of Iceland on 25 June 2016 but lost to Guðni Jóhannesson, coming in fourth place with 13.7% of the popular vote.
Davíð was one of the most popular and successful politicians in Icelandic history but was also highly controversial for his support for the Iraq War and for his part in the 2008 financial crisis. Time named Davíð as one of the 25 people the most to blame for the crisis worldwide.