Iceland review - 2013, Page 84

82 ICELAND REVIEW
Meet Iceland’s youngest parliamentarian ever.
25 Q for Jóhanna María
twenty-one-year-
old farmer from
Mjóifjörður
fjord in the West
fjords and MP for the
Progressive Party, Jóhanna
María Sigmundsdóttir,
became the youngest
ever parliamentarian to
be elected to Alþingi, the
Icelandic parliament, in
the April 27 general elec-
tion. Jóhanna María broke
the 79-year-old record
of gunnar thoroddsen,
the then 23-year-old
Independence Party MP,
who later became Prime
Minister of Iceland, 1980-
1983. If Jóhanna María
follows in the footsteps of
her namesake, former PM
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, she
will remain a member of
Alþingi until 2048.
earlier this year, Jóhanna
María was elected chair
of the young farmers’
Association.
But who is this newest
member of Alþingi? Iceland
Review asked her 25 ques-
tions.
PS: How many countries have you
been to?
JMS: Five, so far.
PS: What is the most beautiful
place in Iceland?
JMS: The fjord Ísafjarðardjúp
on a good summer’s day.
PS: What is your position on the
European Union accession talks?
JMS: They should be termi-
nated.
PS: Do you get seasick?
JMS: No, I love to row out
into the fjord and travel by sea.
PS: What is the first issue that
you will present in parliament?
JMS: I’m not sure. Time will
tell. There are many issues that
I’m passionate about.
PS: Are you single or in a rela-
tionship?
JMS: Single.
PS: Describe the Progressive Party
in one sentence.
JMS: New people, clear policy.
PS: How far is it to the next store
from your farm?
JMS: About 100 kilometers [60
miles] either way, to Ísafjörður
or Hólmavík.
PS: Who is your favorite musician
or band?
JMS: Yes, a music question!
I’m in the British league. The
Shadows and The Beatles are
my favorites.
PS: What day and year were you
born?
JMS: June 28, 1991.
PS: What is the country’s most
beautiful bird?
JMS: The Puffin.
PS: Do you own a car? If yes,
what make and year?
JMS: I own tractors.
PS: What are your hobbies?
JMS: Agriculture, social affairs,
poetry, cars and engines, music,
cooking, etc.
PS: What is your favorite food
and drink?
JMS: Icelandic lamb never fails,
nor does ice cold milk straight
from the tank [in the cowshed].
PS: What is the best way to coun-
teract the depopulation of the West
Fjords?
JMS: Increase the number of
jobs that require a university
degree, support innovation,
increase the possibilities for
education [in the region] and
equalize living conditions.
PS: What is your favorite televi-
sion show?
JMS: I like watching comedy
shows. QI, Whose Line Is It
Anyway and Mock the Week top
the list.
PS: Are cows or sheep more intel-
ligent?
JMS: Cows have more of a
personality but I’ve learned
never to underestimate the
intelligence of domestic ani-
mals.
PS: What is the country’s best
swimming pool?
JMS: Reykjaneslaug by
Ísafjarðardjúp, the country’s
largest hot tub.
PS: What is your favorite restau-
rant?
JMS: Thai Koon in Ísafjörður
serves the best Thai food I’ve
ever tasted.
PS: What is the best book you’ve
ever read?
JMS: Dalalíf by guðrún frá
Lundi [1887-1975; the book
was published in 1946].
WORDS AND PHOTO BY PÁll STEfÁnSSon