President Halla Tómasdóttir addresses violence, housing, and education at Althing in Reykjavik

In her inaugural address at the Althing, Iceland’s President Halla Tómasdóttir addressed key issues such as violence, housing shortages, education, and immigrant affairs. Both the President and the Bishop spoke about recent incidents of violence during the opening session of parliament.

Halla emphasized the urgent call to eradicate violence from society, highlighting a sense of national grief following a stabbing incident that occurred during the country’s cultural night. She called on the nation to nurture its children and respond to the plea of the family of the victim, advocating for love to be the only weapon in their community. “How can we answer this call? We have a duty to ensure such events do not happen again. This is a collective responsibility, beyond political divisions,” she stated.

The President also pointed out the troubling cycle of housing shortages exacerbated by inflation and interest rates, which have raised significant concerns among citizens. This demand for housing is driven not only by domestic population growth but also by an influx of international visitors, including tourists and workers who are vital to the economy. Additionally, she noted the housing crisis affects many young people taking their first steps in life.

During the session, a historic moment unfolded, as new Bishop Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir delivered a sermon in the Cathedral, addressing the same issues of recent violence. “This autumn presents significant challenges, and our nation is in mourning over recent troubling events. Many have turned to our churches for comfort during these times, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure the welfare of the children and youth in our country,” she concluded.