Jón Gunnarsson on leave as assistant to Minister of Food and Agriculture during elections in Iceland

Jón Gunnarsson, a member of the Independence Party, is currently on a leave from parliamentary duties while fulfilling his role as an assistant to the Minister of Food and Agriculture. This arrangement is in effect until the upcoming elections, which are scheduled to take place in four weeks. During his leave, a replacement has been appointed to take his seat in Parliament.

Recent polls indicate that Jón Gunnarsson is projected to lose his seat, having ranked fifth on the party list in the Southwestern constituency. His situation follows a recent meeting of the constituency council where he was outmatched by another assistant from the Independence Party.

Despite not holding a ministerial position, Jón has been designated as a special representative by Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson in the outgoing government. This decision comes in light of Svandís Svavarsdóttir, the former Minister of Food and Agriculture and leader of the Left-Green Movement, announcing her intention not to participate in the government until the elections.

According to the Prime Minister’s office, Jón enjoys the same benefits as other assistants to the Prime Minister; however, it is noted that he is on an unpaid leave from parliamentary responsibilities. His status aligns with that of other assistants based on a recruitment agreement that has been formalized.