Jón Gnarr joins Viðreisn party ahead of Iceland’s parliamentary elections

Jón Gnarr, former mayor and artist, has joined the political party Viðreisn. The party’s vice-chair, Daði Már Kristófersson, confirmed this development, stating that Gnarr made the decision within the past few weeks, although he himself had not spoken to him directly.

Gnarr’s political career is notable, having founded the Best Party in 2009, which won a municipal election in 2010, allowing him to serve as mayor until the end of that term. He later ran for the presidency this year, finishing fourth with about ten percent of the votes. After the Best Party merged with another political group, he aligned himself with the Social Democrats in 2017, serving as an advisor for their election campaign. Most recently, he held an honorable position on their list for the city elections in 2022.

As for the upcoming parliamentary elections, it remains unclear whether he will take a spot on Viðreisn’s list, as party primaries for Reykjavik constituencies are set to take place where members will vote. Gnarr’s diverse background in both political and artistic fields continues to shape his public persona and influence within Icelandic politics.