Össur Skarphéðinsson

Who is Össur Skarphéðinsson?

Össur Skarphéðinsson is an Icelandic politician who was Minister for Foreign Affairs from February 2009 - 2013.

Össur matriculated from the Reykjavík Grammar School in 1973, and gained a BS in Biology from the University of Iceland in 1979, and a doctorate in physiology from the University of East Anglia in 1983. He has been a member of the parliament since 1991, as Member for Reykjavík Constituency from 1991 to 2003 and Member for Reykjavík North Constituency since 2003. He was Chairman of the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group from 1991 to 1993, Minister for the Environment from 1993 to 1995, and Chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance from 2000 to 2005.

Össur was appointed Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism for the Social Democratic Alliance in May 2007. He was also Minister for Nordic Cooperation from 24 May 2007 to 10 June 2008. In February 2009 he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Össur has been noted for being a prominent blogger, often quoted by the Icelandic press.