Iceland inaugurates new president Halla Tómasdóttir at Austurvöllur in Reykjavik

On Thursday, the inauguration of Iceland’s new president will take place, with screens set up at Austurvöllur for the public to watch the ceremony. The event is scheduled to start at 15:30 local time. Halla Tómasdóttir will take the oath of office at a ceremony held at both the Dómkirkjan (Cathedral) and Alþingishús (Parliament House).

In a public announcement, the government invited citizens to gather at Austurvöllur to witness the proceedings projected on the large screens. Following the oath-taking, the president will reflect on the significance of the office from the balcony of the Parliament building.

For the first time after the inauguration, the new office building for the Parliament, known as Smiðjan, will be utilized to host guests of the event. The ceremony will be overseen by the President of Alþingi, who, along with the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, holds the presidential powers from midnight the day before the inauguration until Halla Tómasdóttir signs the oath of office.

The event will be broadcast live on RÚV, allowing a wider audience to participate in this significant national milestone.