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
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
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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