Geir Haarde
Encyclopedia
Geir Hilmar Haarde was Prime Minister of Iceland
from 15 June 2006 to 1 February 2009 and Chairman of the Icelandic Independence Party
from 2005 to 2009. Geir initially led a coalition
between his party and the Progressive Party
. After the 2007 parliamentary election
, in which the Independence Party increased its share of the vote, Geir renewed his term as Prime Minister, leading a coalition between his party and the Alliance. That coalition resigned in January 2009 after widespread protests
following an economic collapse in October 2008. In September 2010, Geir became the first Icelandic minister to be indicted for misconduct in office, and will stand trial before the Landsdómur
, a special court for such cases.
to Tomas Haarde, a Norwegian from Rogaland
, and an Icelandic mother. He received his bachelor's degree in the United States at Brandeis University
as a Wien Scholar, graduating with a degree in economics, then went on to earn two Master's degrees – in international relations
from the School of Advanced International Studies of The Johns Hopkins University
and in economics from the University of Minnesota
.
Prior to entering the Althing
(the Icelandic Parliament), Geir was an economist at the Central Bank of Iceland
from 1977 to 1983 and was a political adviser to the Icelandic Minister of Finance from 1983 to 1987. He was a member of the Althing for 22 years, 1987–2009. Geir was Chairman of the Independence Party Parliamentary Group from 1991 to 1998 and a member of the Alþing's Foreign Affairs Committee from 1991 to 1998; he was Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee from 1995 to 1998. He served as Minister of Finance from April 1998 to September 2005 and then as Minister for Foreign Affairs from September 2005 to June 2006. He was elected Chairman of the Independence Party in an uncontested election in October 2005, following the departure of Davíð Oddsson
.
Following the announcement of Halldór Ásgrímsson
's resignation as Prime Minister on 5 June 2006, Geir succeeded him as Prime Minister on 15 June.
On 23 January 2009, Geir announced that due to health reasons (malignant oesophageal tumour
), he would step down as chairman of the Independence Party at the next party congress on 26–29 March 2009. On the same day, he announced that an early general election would be held on 9 May 2009, in which he would not be a candidate.
, Landsbanki
and Kaupthing) all had to be taken over by the government as they were unable to roll over their loans.
On 26 January 2009, Geir announced that he and the Social Democrats would not continue in the coalition government. He was replaced by Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
from the Social Democratic Alliance, formerly minister of Social Affairs and Social Security, on 1 February 2009.
On 8 April 2009, Geir stated that he was solely responsible for accepting controversial donations to the Icelandic Independence Party in 2006, ISK 30 millions from the investment group FL Group
, and ISK 25 millions from Icelandic bank Landsbanki
.
On 28 September 2010, Iceland's parliament, Althing
, voted 33–30 to indict Geir, but not the other ministers, on charges of negligence in office at a session . He will stand trial before the Landsdómur
, a special tribunal
to hear cases alleging misconduct in government office: it will be the first time Landsdómur has convened since it was established in the 1905 Constitution
.
On 3 October 2011, in response to a motion by the defence team to dismiss the case, Landsdómur voted to drop the two first charges against Mr. Haarde, concerning "gross negligence" and "failiure to have the financial risks assessed," but to continue with the case based on three remaining and lesser charges.
At its 40th national convention on 17-20 November 2011, the Independence Party
concluded that "accusations against Geir H. Haarde, the former leader of the Independence Party and former Prime Minister, constituted an abhorrent political trial
. The convention declared its unequivocal support for Mr. Haarde while noting the serious precedent the parliament had set with its decision to prosecute."
Prime Minister of Iceland
The Prime Minister of Iceland is Iceland's head of government. The prime minister is appointed formally by the President and exercises executive authority along with the cabinet subject to parliamentary support....
from 15 June 2006 to 1 February 2009 and Chairman of the Icelandic Independence Party
Independence Party (Iceland)
The Independence Party is a centre-right political party in Iceland. Liberal conservative and Eurosceptic, it is the second-largest party in the Althing, with sixteen seats. The chairman of the party is Bjarni Benediktsson and vice chairman is Ólöf Nordal....
from 2005 to 2009. Geir initially led a coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
between his party and the Progressive Party
Progressive Party (Iceland)
The Progressive Party is an agrarian, liberal and centrist party in Iceland. The party is a member of the Liberal International. Current chairman of the party is Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson. He was elected on January 18, 2009. His predecessor was Valgerður Sverrisdóttir, who only served as...
. After the 2007 parliamentary election
Icelandic parliamentary election, 2007
The 2007 Icelandic general elections were held on 12 May 2007. In this election, the public elected 63 members of parliament using proportional representation from six constituencies to the Alþingi...
, in which the Independence Party increased its share of the vote, Geir renewed his term as Prime Minister, leading a coalition between his party and the Alliance. That coalition resigned in January 2009 after widespread protests
2009 Icelandic financial crisis protests
The 2009-2011 Icelandic financial crisis protests, also referred to as the Kitchenware Revolution or Icelandic Revolution occurred in the wake of the Icelandic financial crisis. There had been sporadic protests since October 2008 against the Icelandic government's handling of the financial crisis...
following an economic collapse in October 2008. In September 2010, Geir became the first Icelandic minister to be indicted for misconduct in office, and will stand trial before the Landsdómur
Landsdómur
The Landsdómur is a special court in Iceland which was established in 1905 with the mandate to handle cases where members of the Cabinet are suspected of criminal behavior....
, a special court for such cases.
Biography
Geir was born in the Icelandic capital ReykjavíkReykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
to Tomas Haarde, a Norwegian from Rogaland
Rogaland
is a county in Western Norway, bordering Hordaland, Telemark, Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. It is the center of the Norwegian petroleum industry, and as a result of this, Rogaland has the lowest unemployment rate of any county in Norway, 1.1%...
, and an Icelandic mother. He received his bachelor's degree in the United States at Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
as a Wien Scholar, graduating with a degree in economics, then went on to earn two Master's degrees – in international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
from the School of Advanced International Studies of The Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
and in economics from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
.
Prior to entering the Althing
Althing
The Alþingi, anglicised variously as Althing or Althingi, is the national parliament of Iceland. The Althingi is the oldest parliamentary institution in the world still extant...
(the Icelandic Parliament), Geir was an economist at the Central Bank of Iceland
Central Bank of Iceland
The Central Bank of Iceland is the central bank or reserve bank of Iceland. It has served in this capacity since 1961, when it was created by an act of the Alþingi out of the central banking department of Landsbanki Íslands, which had had the sole right of note issuance since 1927 and had...
from 1977 to 1983 and was a political adviser to the Icelandic Minister of Finance from 1983 to 1987. He was a member of the Althing for 22 years, 1987–2009. Geir was Chairman of the Independence Party Parliamentary Group from 1991 to 1998 and a member of the Alþing's Foreign Affairs Committee from 1991 to 1998; he was Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee from 1995 to 1998. He served as Minister of Finance from April 1998 to September 2005 and then as Minister for Foreign Affairs from September 2005 to June 2006. He was elected Chairman of the Independence Party in an uncontested election in October 2005, following the departure of Davíð Oddsson
Davíð Oddsson
Davíð Oddsson 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 he chaired the board of governors of the Central Bank of...
.
Following the announcement of Halldór Ásgrímsson
Halldór Ásgrímsson
Halldór Ásgrímsson is an Icelandic politician, formerly Prime Minister of Iceland from 2004 to 2006 and leader of the Progressive Party from 1994 to 2006.-Education and early life:...
's resignation as Prime Minister on 5 June 2006, Geir succeeded him as Prime Minister on 15 June.
On 23 January 2009, Geir announced that due to health reasons (malignant oesophageal tumour
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
), he would step down as chairman of the Independence Party at the next party congress on 26–29 March 2009. On the same day, he announced that an early general election would be held on 9 May 2009, in which he would not be a candidate.
Icelandic financial crisis
The end of Geir's tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the dramatic financial crisis which engulfed Iceland from October 2008. In less than a week, the country's three major commercial banks (GlitnirGlitnir (bank)
Glitnir was an international Icelandic bank. It was created by the state-directed merger of the country's three privately held banks - Alþýðubanki , Verzlunarbanki and Iðnaðarbanki - and one failing publicly held bank - Útvegsbanki - to form Íslandsbanki in 1990...
, Landsbanki
Landsbanki
Landsbanki, also commonly known as Landsbankinn in Iceland, is a private Icelandic bank with international operations...
and Kaupthing) all had to be taken over by the government as they were unable to roll over their loans.
On 26 January 2009, Geir announced that he and the Social Democrats would not continue in the coalition government. He was replaced by Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir , , is the Prime Minister of Iceland. Many years a politician, she was previously Iceland's Minister of Social Affairs and Social Security from 1987–1994 and 2007–2009. She has been a member of the Althing for Reykjavík constituencies since 1978, winning re-election on eight...
from the Social Democratic Alliance, formerly minister of Social Affairs and Social Security, on 1 February 2009.
On 8 April 2009, Geir stated that he was solely responsible for accepting controversial donations to the Icelandic Independence Party in 2006, ISK 30 millions from the investment group FL Group
FL GROUP
Stodir is an international investment company, headquartered in Reykjavík, Iceland with offices in London.The company was founded on July 20, 1973, under the name Flugleiðir. It was formed as a holding company for Loftleiðir and Flugfélag Íslands....
, and ISK 25 millions from Icelandic bank Landsbanki
Landsbanki
Landsbanki, also commonly known as Landsbankinn in Iceland, is a private Icelandic bank with international operations...
.
Special tribunal
Geir was strongly criticised in the April 2010 report of the Special Investigative Commission into the financial collapse, being accused of "negligence" along with three other ministers of his government.On 28 September 2010, Iceland's parliament, Althing
Althing
The Alþingi, anglicised variously as Althing or Althingi, is the national parliament of Iceland. The Althingi is the oldest parliamentary institution in the world still extant...
, voted 33–30 to indict Geir, but not the other ministers, on charges of negligence in office at a session . He will stand trial before the Landsdómur
Landsdómur
The Landsdómur is a special court in Iceland which was established in 1905 with the mandate to handle cases where members of the Cabinet are suspected of criminal behavior....
, a special tribunal
Tribunal
A tribunal in the general sense is any person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate on, or determine claims or disputes—whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title....
to hear cases alleging misconduct in government office: it will be the first time Landsdómur has convened since it was established in the 1905 Constitution
Constitution of Iceland
The Constitution of Iceland is the supreme law of Iceland. It is composed of 80 articles in seven sections, and within it the leadership arrangement of the country is determined and the human rights of its citizens are preserved. The current constitution was first instituted on June 17, 1944; since...
.
On 3 October 2011, in response to a motion by the defence team to dismiss the case, Landsdómur voted to drop the two first charges against Mr. Haarde, concerning "gross negligence" and "failiure to have the financial risks assessed," but to continue with the case based on three remaining and lesser charges.
At its 40th national convention on 17-20 November 2011, the Independence Party
Independence Party (Iceland)
The Independence Party is a centre-right political party in Iceland. Liberal conservative and Eurosceptic, it is the second-largest party in the Althing, with sixteen seats. The chairman of the party is Bjarni Benediktsson and vice chairman is Ólöf Nordal....
concluded that "accusations against Geir H. Haarde, the former leader of the Independence Party and former Prime Minister, constituted an abhorrent political trial
Political trial
A political trial is a criminal trial with political implications. A composite definition of a political trial might be "an examination before a court concerning the conduct of governmental affairs or somehow relating to government." T. Becker writes that "in a sense, all trials are political...
. The convention declared its unequivocal support for Mr. Haarde while noting the serious precedent the parliament had set with its decision to prosecute."