Einar Már elected president of Church of Iceland assembly

The Church of Iceland’s newly elected assembly met for the first time on Saturday, with Einar Már Sigurðarson chosen as its president until 2030, mbl.is reported.

Drífa Hjartardóttir, the outgoing president, opened the meeting at Áskirkja, a church. It was her final day in office after serving through the previous term and remaining in the role until the new assembly elected a president. Reykjavík Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir also addressed the meeting.

Jónína Rós Guðmundsdóttir and Ásmundur Friðriksson were elected vice-presidents. Rúnar Vilhjálmsson was re-elected chair of the Church of Iceland’s board. The board for 2026–2027 also includes Árni Helgason, Margrét Bóasdóttir, Bryndís Malla Elídóttir and Ninna Sif Svavarsdóttir. Stefán Már Gunnlaugsson, Elísabet S. Ólafsdóttir and Guðmundur Jóhann Jónsson were elected to the deputy board.

The assembly also elected members to its standing committees. Þuríður Björg Wiium Árnadóttir was elected chair of the general affairs committee, with Hjörleifur Þórarinsson as deputy chair. Davíð Stefánsson and Auður Thorberg Jónasdóttir were elected chair and deputy chair of the finance committee. Stefán Magnússon and Elínborg Sturludóttir were elected chair and deputy chair of the legislative committee.

The assembly’s responsibilities include setting the church’s policy, approving its budget and establishing its rules of operation. Its proceedings are being streamed live.