Ragnar says he did not know he would become minister
Wednesday 30th September 2026 on 12:31 in
Iceland
Social Affairs and Housing Minister Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson says he learned he would take over the post from Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson only after Guðmundur resigned, he told mbl.is.
Ragnar said the timeline was very tight. He had been content in his roles as chair of the budget committee and chair of the parliamentary group. Media reports had indicated that changes were coming in the group, and the party leader had hinted at them, but Ragnar said he was not more involved in the events.
Asked about messages Guðmundur received from Ragnar’s wife, who worked as Guðmundur’s aide, Ragnar said he knew nothing about them. He said he had not been in contact with Guðmundur at the time and could not speak for other people’s communications. He added that he and his wife had always respected each other’s confidentiality.
Ragnar said he interpreted the messages differently from a threat to wage war against Guðmundur. He understood them as describing the options facing Guðmundur: step aside and focus on his recovery, or fight to keep his job. Ragnar said the messages showed the depth of their relationship and the affection between them, adding that they had worked closely together for nine months.
He rejected the suggestion that the wording had come from within the party. Members of the parliamentary group had no role in the decisions, he said. Party leaders agree on forming a government and allocating ministerial posts, and the leaders assign people to those positions.
Ragnar called the situation difficult, saying he and Guðmundur had known each other for more than a decade and had been good friends. He said he had fully supported Guðmundur when he took office. However, he did not believe the events had weakened trust in the government, saying adversity had strengthened their cooperation.
Ragnar said he was not concerned that his ministerial position was at risk. He had not been involved in the decision or sought the post, he said, and would respect any decision made about it.