Davíð Oddsson

Davíð Oddsson (IPA: [ˈtaːvið ˈɔtsɔn]) (born 17 January 1948 in Reykjavík) is an Icelandic politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of Iceland, holding office from 1991 to 2004. He also served as foreign minister from 2004 to 2005. Previously, he was mayor of Reykjavík from 1982 to 1991, and since 2005 he has chaired the board of governors of the Central Bank of Iceland. In 2008 his actions as the chairman of the board have been seriously questioned and there have been public demands for his resignation.

By Icelandic standards, Davíð Oddsson’s career is very successful. He was only 34 years old when he became Mayor of Reykjavík, and only 43 years when he formed his first government. He served as Prime Minister for over 13 years, longer than any other Icelandic politician. During Davíð's time as Prime Minister, the polls consistently showed him to be the most popular politician in the country[citation needed]; at the same time, however, he was often (but not always) the least popular politician. One reason for the controversy around Davíð may be related to his implementation of wide-ranging and radical free-market reforms against bitter opposition. In that respect, his role in Icelandic politics was similar to that of Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom. It may have contributed to controversies about Davíð that in public debate, while he spoke softly, he carried a big stick; he was known for his biting wit; he often showed his ability to bring down the house with one innocent, but viciously funny remark; nevertheless his opponents, such as the former social democratic leader Össur Skarphéðinsson, have spoken about his personal charm and kindness[citation needed]. Davíð consistently enjoyed very strong support from his own party, and while most observers would agree that he was a forceful leader, critics spoke of his authoritarianism and his disregard of proper democratic procedures. There is little doubt, whatever people think about Davíð Oddsson, that he has left a large mark on Icelandic political history and that under his leadership, the Icelandic economy has changed beyond recognition.

Davíð's legacy has taken a blow following the collapse of the Icelandic banking system in the autumn of 2008, when the nation was forced to ask for financial help from the International Monetary Fund and friendly nations. The economic policy driven by the Independence Party based on market liberalisation and privatisation is widely regarded as responsible for the collapse.