Guðmundur Ari announces bid for Social Democratic Alliance deputy leadership

Guðmundur Ari Sigurjónsson, parliamentary group chair of Iceland’s Social Democratic Alliance, has become the first person to announce a candidacy for the party’s deputy leadership, mbl.is reports.

The election is expected to take place at a party executive meeting in Sandgerði on October 10. Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson announced after the last local elections that he would step down as deputy chair when a suitable opportunity arose.

“I am currently in a particular role as the party’s parliamentary group chair. I am offering my strength to move from that role into the position of deputy chair and put greater energy into building up the party across the country, strengthening its local associations, supporting policy work and ensuring that we have a strong grassroots organisation everywhere,” Guðmundur Ari said.

He said he was satisfied with the party’s current leadership under Kristrún Frostadóttir, the Social Democratic Alliance chair and prime minister, and was ready to contribute.

Guðmundur Ari ran for party chair 10 years ago, alongside three other candidates. Oddný Harðardóttir won that election.

Looking back at statements and articles he wrote at the time, Guðmundur Ari said he had called for the party to adopt traditional social democratic policies, including action on housing and ensuring that everyone had opportunities in society.

“My view at the time was that we could have taken certain steps in that direction, which I feel we are doing today under the leadership of Kristrún,” he said.

He said he did not know whether other candidates would enter the deputy leadership race. Nominations will remain open until the party executive meeting.