Þórólfur Árnason
Encyclopedia
Þórólfur Árnason took over as the mayor of Reykjavík
on February 1, 2003 after the Left Greens and the Progressive Party had demanded that Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir
, which was mayor next before Þórólfur, would either resign, or decide not to pursue a career in national politics.
His appointment as mayor was a compromise of the three parties that formed the majority of the council. Having never been involved in politics before, but a well-known executive for some of Iceland's largest companies, Þórólfur was considered a "mayor-for-hire" by the City Counsel - a manager of day-to-day city affairs rather than a political leader or policymaker.
He resigned on November 30, 2004 after controversy regarding some of the Icelandic oil companies and their breach of the competition law, but Þórólfur once held a managerial position in one of those companies.
After Þórólfur's time as mayor he became chief executive of Icelandic Group in May 2005.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
on February 1, 2003 after the Left Greens and the Progressive Party had demanded that Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir is an Icelandic politician from the Social Democratic Alliance, formerly Minister for Foreign Affairs 2007–2009 and leader of the Alliance 2005–2009.-Education:...
, which was mayor next before Þórólfur, would either resign, or decide not to pursue a career in national politics.
His appointment as mayor was a compromise of the three parties that formed the majority of the council. Having never been involved in politics before, but a well-known executive for some of Iceland's largest companies, Þórólfur was considered a "mayor-for-hire" by the City Counsel - a manager of day-to-day city affairs rather than a political leader or policymaker.
He resigned on November 30, 2004 after controversy regarding some of the Icelandic oil companies and their breach of the competition law, but Þórólfur once held a managerial position in one of those companies.
After Þórólfur's time as mayor he became chief executive of Icelandic Group in May 2005.