The world’s first female president

June 30, 1980

Finboadottir became the world’s first democratically elected female president

On June 30, 1980, from the edge of the Arctic Circle In a country with a population of only 230,000, a piece of news that shocked the world came out: Vigdis Finboadottir, a theater manager in the capital Reykjavik, defeated all opponents in the general election and was elected. For the President of Iceland.

The reason why the news caused a sensation was not because the candidate rose to prominence due to a small number of candidates, but mainly because the winner was the first woman elected by the people to hold the post of president since Iceland became independent in 1944. Also because she is the world's first democratically elected female president.

Congratulatory messages and letters flew to Reykjavik like snowflakes. Reporters from foreign newspapers, news agencies, and television stations flocked to this "country of fire and ice" to interview the newly elected female president. Finnboadottir, who is in his fifties, is radiant and full of energy. She excitedly told reporters: "I am very proud. This incident is not only a milestone for gender equality in Iceland, but also around the world." For a time, the female president of Iceland became a symbol and symbol of gender equality and women's liberation. pioneer. The Prime Minister of Iceland said in his congratulatory message that "her election will inspire women to participate in politics." The Norwegian ambassador to Iceland wrote an article in her national newspaper, saying that Finnbogadottir's election as president "opened a new chapter in history." Some newspapers and periodicals The article believes that the emergence of Iceland’s female president “marks a turning point in the struggle for equal rights between men and women.”

Finboadóttir was born on April 15, 1930. His father, Finnboj Thorvardsson, was a professor at the University of Iceland. Her mother, Alexdóttir, is a nurse and has long been the president of the Icelandic Nurses Association. In 1961, she led an Icelandic nurse delegation to visit China. Finboadottir went to France to study after graduating from high school at the age of nineteen. He studied French literature with drama as the main course at the University of Paris for four years. After returning to China, I worked as a librarian for five years. Later, he studied English and British Literature at the University of Iceland, and then went to the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and the University of Sweden for further studies, specializing in drama. After completing his studies, he taught French and French theater history at Reykjavik secondary schools and universities. During this time, she also worked as a tour guide for the National Tourism Administration, taught French on television, and from 1972 she served as the manager of the Reykjavik Municipal Theater until she was elected president.

Since her youth, this female president has actively participated in the peace movement opposing arms expansion and preparation for war. She attended peace conferences in the Soviet Union and China. She takes part in annual demonstrations against the establishment of a U.S. military base in Keflavik.

There are four candidates in this presidential race. Some people seized on Finnbogadottir's opposition to U.S. military bases and Iceland's entry into NATO and attacked her as a "Communist Party" in an attempt to scare voters who support her. But Finboadottir didn't care. She retorted tit for tat: "I don't know if I am a member of the Communist Party. If seeking equality and justice means being a member of the Communist Party, then I am a member of the Communist Party."

Campaign It's quite intense. The four candidates traveled around the country, visiting voters, holding rallies and speeches in factories, farms, hotels and other public places. They tried their best to promote themselves and slander others. It was quite similar to the American presidential campaign. This was the case in the Icelandic presidential election. It is unprecedented in history. Finnboadóttir made it clear that she opposed all kinds of arms races, advocated that the money saved from armaments should be used to support developing countries and improve the lives of her own people, and emphasized the need to safeguard Icelandic culture and women's rights. As a result, she came out on top, leaving the other three candidates busy.

Iceland is a parliamentary country. The office of the president is primarily ceremonial. Major domestic political, economic, and foreign affairs are decided by the Parliament. The most important duty of the president is to sign bills passed by the parliament; when the government is in crisis, find candidates to lead the government, or order the dissolution of the parliament and re-elect. After the new parliament is elected, nominate and entrust party leaders to form a cabinet. After her election, Finnbogadottir said that although she opposed the establishment of foreign military bases in Iceland, she "respected the decision of the parliament."

She further stated her political stance at her first press conference after being elected. She said vividly and humorously: "I have Communist Party labels all over my body. Send me to Moscow without packaging, where people will welcome me with open arms. But once I talk about freedom, they will definitely Send me to a mental hospital.”

Finboadottir’s presidential residence is located in a white farmhouse on a small peninsula. There was no police guard at the door, and she was with her nine-year-old adopted daughter. She was the first single woman in Icelandic history to adopt a child.

The female president usually does not appear in public, but when necessary, she actively works for the interests of her country. In mid-February 1982, President Finnbogadottir was invited to pay a state visit to the British Empire. This is the first visit to the UK by an Icelandic head of state since 1965. The visit was a complete success. The shadow of the 1976 Ice-British "Cod War" has been swept away. The Queen of the United Kingdom awarded a female president a Cross of Medal for the first time.