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Þorsteinn Pálsson

b. 1947

Prime Minister of Iceland

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About Þorsteinn Pálsson

Born 1947. Þorsteinn Pálsson is an Icelandic diplomat, politician and journalist.

Þorsteinn Pálsson (pronounced ; born 29 October 1947) is an Icelandic politician who served as prime minister of Iceland for the Independence Party from 8 July 1987 to 28 September 1988. Þorsteinn led the Independence Party from 1983 to 1991, when he lost an inner partial election to then vice-chairman of the party and mayor of Reykjavík, Davíð Oddsson. His coalition was dissolved in September 1988 by Progressive Party leader, Steingrímur Hermannsson and Social Democratic Party leader, Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson because of different views on price stagnation.

Prior to his period as Prime Minister, Þorsteinn was Minister of Finance from 1985 to 1987. He represented Southern Iceland in the Althing (Iceland's Parliament) from 1983 to 1999. When Davíð Oddsson formed his first government in 1991 he appointed Þorsteinn as minister of Fisheries and Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs. He remained in this position until 1999. Later he became ambassador, first in London and later in Copenhagen. He was editor of the newspaper Fréttablaðið between 2006 and 2009.

In 2016, Þorsteinn left the Independence Party and joined the newly formed Reform party, a more moderate right wing party.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Iceland, Commercial College of Iceland
Positions held
Prime Minister of Iceland, Ambassador, Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Industry of Iceland
Also known as
Thorsteinn Pálsson, Thorsteinn Palsson

People in Þorsteinn Pálsson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Þorsteinn Pálsson's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Þorsteinn Pálsson?

Prime Minister of Iceland

When was Þorsteinn Pálsson born?

Þorsteinn Pálsson was born on 29 October 1947 in Selfoss.

What is Þorsteinn Pálsson's occupation?

Þorsteinn Pálsson is a diplomat, politician and journalist.

What nationality is Þorsteinn Pálsson?

Þorsteinn Pálsson is Icelandic.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Þorsteinn Pálsson

· Wikidata: Q335707

· DBpedia: Þorsteinn Pálsson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Þorsteinn Pálsson. https://biography.guide/thorsteinn-palsson/

MLA: "Þorsteinn Pálsson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thorsteinn-palsson/.

Chicago: "Þorsteinn Pálsson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thorsteinn-palsson/.

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