Guðmundur Ari seeks deputy leadership of Social Democratic Alliance
Saturday 12th September 2026 on 18:15 in
Iceland
Guðmundur Ari Sigurjónsson, chair of the Social Democratic Alliance parliamentary group, has announced his candidacy for deputy chair of the Icelandic political party, mbl.is reports.
He said he was running to continue developing the party and establish the Social Democratic Alliance and social democracy as a cornerstone of Icelandic politics.
“Since I was first elected to Seltjarnarnes municipal council in 2014, I have emphasised classical social democracy: that everyone should have genuine opportunities to participate actively in society and achieve success in life,” he said in a statement.
“I know personally what it is like to face challenges in the education system and lose faith in your own abilities. When I left Reykjavík Technical College and began working at Gúmmívinnustofan in Skipholt to have more money on weekends and save for a power boost for my Honda Civic, I had no idea that I would later find my path in youth centre work, complete a university degree with good grades, serve for 10 years on a municipal council and lead the Social Democratic Alliance parliamentary group as the largest party in the Alþingi,” he said.
Guðmundur Ari said the party would need to continue building its organisation, make use of its momentum, strengthen its internal work and mobilise its volunteers if it was to become a new cornerstone of Icelandic politics in the future.
“We need to strengthen our policy work and develop ties between the parliamentary group, municipal representatives and the grassroots across the country. Not only to win the next election, but to build a strong political movement for the future,” he said.
He said he would bring experience from local government, Alþingi and work within the party, as well as expertise in community work.
“I want to use that experience to strengthen the party and its associations, support elected representatives and help more people become active in politics. In the coming weeks, I will speak with party members around the country, present my ideas on how to strengthen the party and listen to good ideas from the grassroots,” he added.