Iceland’s presidential payments under scrutiny as discussions on constitutional amendments continue

During Guðni Th. Jóhannesson’s presidency of Iceland, a total of 66 million ISK was paid to 23 officials who acted as holders of presidential authority during his terms. This arrangement has come under scrutiny as discussions about amending the presidential section of the constitution continue.

One major topic of debate is the requirement for candidates to gather a specific number of endorsements for their candidacy to be valid. Additionally, questions arise regarding who assumes presidential powers when the president is unable to perform their duties due to travel, illness, or other reasons, as outlined in article eight of the constitution. The three entities who hold presidential power are the Speaker of Alþingi (the national parliament), the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice.

While these officials receive salaries during their time acting as president, which mainly occurs when the president is on official overseas visits, the payments are shared equally among them. They do not deliver speeches but are authorized to sign laws. Historically, the practice of accompanying the president on international trips by a holder of presidential power was recently discontinued.

Over the years, several proposals have emerged aimed at reducing the salaries of these officials. For example, a bill introduced in 2009 suggested that they should receive only one-fifth of the presidential salary while temporarily carrying out those duties. However, none of the legislative proposals addressing these issues have made significant progress.

Amendments to the role of stand-ins for the president are also being considered, with some advocating for clearer guidelines to manage situations when the president is unavailable. This reflects the evolving nature of governance in Iceland, especially in response to technological advancements and changing societal needs.