Reykjavik - Social Democrat Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, who swept to victory in Iceland's snap election this weekend, is a gay feminist seen as one of the country's most skillful politicians.
"Our time has come," the 66-year-old Sigurdardottir told cheering supporters in her victory speech after Saturday's general election, called just seven months after Iceland's economic meltdown.
Nicknamed "Saint Johanna" for her relentless defence of social causes, she was appointed prime minister on February 1 after the previous government led by the conservative Independence Party resigned amid massive protests over the financial sector crash that pushed Iceland to the brink of bankruptcy.
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"Nobody knows exactly why but she has the confidence of the population. She is not a very good speaker but her authenticity and credibility explain that people like her," political scientist Gunnar Helgi Kristinsson told AFP.
Nicknamed 'Saint Johanna' for her relentless defence of social causes A former social affairs minister in the previous coalition, Sigurdardottir has since 2007 repeatedly received the highest approval rating of all cabinet ministers despite a reputation for being firm and at times impatient, according to observers.
She left no doubt about her top priority during the election campaign: to lead Iceland into the European Union as soon as possible and adopt the euro currency within four years, even though the issue splits Icelanders down the middle.
Supporters see the EU as a safe haven from global turbulence, while opponents fear interference from Brussels, in particular in the country's fisheries industry.
Sigurdardottir has also vowed to restructure and re-privatise the banking sector that lies in tatters after the three biggest banks were taken over by the state in October.
Values such as "justice and equality will be the guidelines" of her coalition, she said on election day.
Supporters see the EU as a safe haven from global turbulence
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