Socialist List in Reykjavík South

“This is a diverse and dynamic list. People who want to change society so that everyone has the opportunity to flourish, has safe and good housing, and good wages. Poverty must be eradicated, and immediately. Away with all oppression and violence against both people and nature, and in with love, empathy, cooperation, and human dignity,” says Katrín Baldursdóttir, who holds the first position on the Socialist Party's list in the Reykjavík South constituency.

A randomly selected group of members of the Socialist Party arranges the party's list for elections. Experience has shown that the results of randomly selected groups in most cases provide a clearer picture of the will of the grassroots than an election or primary.

“The Socialist Party has an urgent mission. That people are not powerless in the hands of big capitalists. People should have the opportunity to participate in the creation and construction of society and have access to a free healthcare and education system. We on the list in Reykjavík South will fight resolutely for this and many other justice issues, such as transferring resources to the public.”

Símon Vestarr is in second place and has a clear message. “Capitalism breeds wealth accumulation, wealth accumulation breeds corruption, corruption stifles democracy, and trying to curb corruption without restricting capitalism is like trying to win a basketball game with your hands tied behind your back. Therefore, we need to call things by their right names and confront the plutocracy with full force.”

“It has long been clear to me that the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) and the police do not serve the individual but instead act on behalf of entrenched right-wing political forces whose sole aim is to maintain the capitalist system at the expense of the public, and the same applies to other administrative institutions that handle the cases of our most vulnerable groups,” says María Lilja Þrastardóttir, who holds the 3rd position.

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In first place is Katrín Baldursdóttir, industrial relations specialist, journalist, and teacher. Katrín has worked with full force in the Socialist Party from its inception and served on its Executive Board (Framkvæmdastjórn). Katrín lived in Berlin for a period and pursued postgraduate studies in international politics there. In 2012, she completed a master's degree in industrial relations, wrote a master's thesis on the labor movement, and worked for trade unions for a time. She is a socialist through and through.

In second place is Símon Vestarr, literary scholar, teacher, musician, and father of two children. He has worked for the past four years on the Policy Board (Málefnastjórn) of the Socialist Party. He was raised with socialist views by his parents, especially his mother, Helga Bolladóttir. They were workers in Breiðholt, who instilled in Símon a clear class consciousness, and his father, Hjalti Gunnlaugsson, taught him to play musical instruments at a young age. In addition to teaching in primary and secondary schools, translating, and diverse musical performances, Símon has written in various forums. These include writings on class struggle in history and the present day, and the deconstruction of capitalism and individualism, as well as fiction and poetry.

In third place is María Lilja Þrastardóttir Kemp, activist, writer, and law student. María has been prominent in feminist struggles in recent years and, among other things, founded the SlutWalk. María lived in England for a period but returned home to Iceland last year with her family, partner, children, and dog. Since then, refugee issues have been at the forefront of her mind. María believes in harm reduction measures, whether concerning addiction or other health issues, crime, or global warming. She dreams of an understanding, sustainable, and open small community for all people who wish to live here in peace.

In fourth place is Ólafur Jónsson, senior citizen and former captain for many years. Ólafur has worked in the Icelandic fishing industry for over fifty years, mostly as a captain. He worked for eight years as a technical salesperson for fishing gear abroad, especially in North and South America. In this role, Ólafur traveled to most of the world's major fishing nations and met captains and fishing vessel owners across various countries. Ólafur was the managing director of Hampidjan USA for three years. Ólafur has been an active opponent of the quota system since its inception. He wants to ensure that all citizens of society have equal opportunities in upbringing, education, and working life. Ólafur believes that the injustice, inefficiency, and corruption surrounding fishing must call for the abolition of the quota system as soon as possible. To achieve that goal, Ólafur works in the Socialist Party.

In fifth place is Ása Lind Finnbogadóttir, high school teacher and DJ who has worked on the party's Policy Board for three years. She is a mother of two boys and teaches philosophy and psychology, in addition to loving music. She sang in choirs for 20 years and practiced dance at Kramhúsið and elsewhere. She ran for parliament in 2013 and 2017 for Dögun - a political organization for justice, democracy, and fairness.

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In sixth place is Jón Óskar, artist, designer, and former entrepreneur; founder of Gagarín and Grái kötturinn. He has throughout the years worked on various social activities for artists and served on the boards of SÍM and the Living Art Museum (Nýlistasafnið). Jón Óskar is a socialist and wants there to be room for everyone.

In seventh place is Sigrún Unnsteinsdóttir, managing director. She has served on the party's Executive Board for almost three years and has been the party's treasurer for over two years. She has always been political but was never a party member until now. Her heart has always beaten on the left side and for a more just society. She has extensive experience from the business world, both as an employer and an employee, and has been both a sole proprietor and employed people.

List of the Socialist Party of Iceland (Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands) in Reykjavík South:

Katrín Baldursdóttir, industrial relations specialist
Símon Vestarr Hjaltason, teacher
María Lilja Þrastardóttir Kemp, law student
Ólafur Jónsson, senior citizen and former captain
Ása Lind Finnbogadóttir, high school teacher
Jón Óskar Hafsteinsson, artist
Sigrún Unnsteinsdóttir, managing director
Halldóra Jóhanna Hafsteinsdóttir, leisure instructor
Bára Halldórsdóttir, disabled person
Bárður Ragnar Jónsson, translator
Ellen Kristjánsdóttir, musician
Björn Reynir Halldórsson, historian
Krummi Uggason, student
María Sigurðardóttir, director
Tamila Gámez Garcell, teacher
Elísabet Einarsdóttir, disabled person
Kristjana Kristjánsdóttir, preschool teacher
Daníel Örn Arnarsson, alternate city councilor
Mikolaj Cymcyk, student
Sigurjón Baldur Hafsteinsson, professor
María Gunnlaugsdóttir, nurse and disabled person
Andri Sigurðsson, designer