Hermann Jónasson

Hermann Jónasson (25 December 1896 22 January 1976) was an Icelandic politician of the Progressive Party, who was Prime Minister of Iceland on two occasions.

Hermann Jónasson
7th Prime Minister of Iceland
In office
24 July 1956  23 December 1958
PresidentÁsgeir Ásgeirsson
Preceded byÓlafur Thors
Succeeded byEmil Jónsson
In office
28 July 1934  16 May 1942
MonarchChristian X
Preceded byÁsgeir Ásgeirsson
Succeeded byÓlafur Thors
Personal details
Born(1896-12-25)25 December 1896
Skagafjörður, Iceland
Died22 January 1976(1976-01-22) (aged 79)
Reykjavík, Iceland
Political partyProgressive Party
Spouse(s)Vigdis Steingrímsdóttir
Children5 (2 stillbirth) (1 illegitimate)
Alma materUniversity of Iceland

He served his first term from 28 July 1934 to 16 May 1942. This term included one of the most difficult times in Icelandic history. In the pre-war years he had to deal with constant pressures from Nazi Germany and the United Kingdom regarding Iceland's diplomatic stance. After World War II started, the German occupation of Denmark severed the ties between the two countries, forcing Iceland to assume full control over its foreign interests which had previously been represented by Denmark. Subsequently, the British occupied Iceland on 10 May 1940.

His second term lasted from 24 July 1956 to 23 December 1958. In the elections of 1956 the Progressive Party and the Social Democratic Party joined forces and formed an electoral alliance that became known as the "Fear-Alliance" (Icelandic: Hræðslubandalagið, the fear in question being the fear of the Independence Party). After the elections the "Fear-Alliance" formed a coalition with The People's Alliance. This was Iceland's first leftist government, and was plagued with troubles from the outset, not the least of which was the relative hostility and distrust of the United States and other NATO allies. The coalition eventually fell apart, giving way to the long-lasting "Reconstruction Government" of the Independence Party and the Social Democrats.

Hermann had a reputation for being a very strong willed and often hot-tempered man (once slapping a Socialist member of the Althing). He however gained great respect of political co-workers and adversaries alike, and is fondly remembered as one of Iceland's greatest 20th Century politicians.

He was the father of Steingrímur Hermannsson, who would go on to become Prime Minister of Iceland in the 1980s. His grandson, Guðmundur Steingrímsson, was elected to the Althing in 2009.

In 2007 Hermann was the subject of a mild controversy, when DNA-testing proved that he had, during his years as a public official, fathered a child out of wedlock. A lawyer named Lúðvík Gizurarson had for several years claimed to be Hermann's illegitimate son. After several years of legal battles, Lúðvík's case was put to a DNA-test which turned out positive.

Political offices
Preceded by
Ásgeir Ásgeirsson
Prime Minister of Iceland
1934–1942
Succeeded by
Ólafur Thors
Preceded by
Ólafur Thors
Prime Minister of Iceland
1956–1958
Succeeded by
Emil Jónsson
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jónas Jónsson
Leader of the Progressive Party
1944–1962
Succeeded by
Eysteinn Jónsson
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