President of State (Hverland)
The President of State (Hverlandic: Forseti ríkisins) is the highest constitutional and ceremonial post in Hverland. Established by the Hverlandic Constitution, the President serves as the head of state and represents the unity and continuity of the nation. The President is vested with certain executive powers but primarily serves as a symbolic figure embodying the values and principles that underpin Hverlandic society.
Constitutional role
According to the Hverlandic Constitution, the President has the responsibility to uphold the constitution and safeguard the rule of law. While not involved in the day-to-day governance, which is the purview of the superintendent of state and the National Office, the President possesses certain powers, such as the ability to veto legislation, which can be overridden only by a supermajority in the Fjallting, Hverland's parliament. The President is also involved in the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court, generally acting on recommendations from the Judicial Appointments Board.
Election
The President of State is elected through a direct popular vote for a term of six years, with the possibility of being re-elected for one additional term. The election is regulated by the Electoral Commission and is subject to stringent oversight to ensure its fairness and transparency. Any citizen of Hverland over the age of 35 is eligible to run for office, provided they meet certain criteria, such as the gathering of a requisite number of signatures from registered voters.
History
As of 2023, the current President is Þorvaldur Jónsson, who assumed office on 1 March 2021 following the 2021 Hverlandic presidential election. Þorvaldur, an economist and former member of the Fjallting for the Liberals, was elected with a strong mandate.
List of presidents
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Elections | Party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Duration | ||||||
| 1 | 
|
Freyr Arnarsson (1901–1990) |
5 March 1949 |
4 March 1961 |
12 years, 0 days | 1949 1955 |
The Conservatives | |
| 2 | 
|
Krakenli Hrafnsson (1915–2011) |
5 March 1961 |
4 March 1979 |
18 years, 0 days | 1961 1967 1973 |
Centre Party | |
| 3 | 
|
Skjöldr Thorsson (1939–) |
5 March 1979 |
4 March 1985 |
6 years, 0 days | 1979 | Other party or unaffiliated | |
| 4 | 
|
Ulfarinn Helgusson (1937–) |
5 March 1985 |
4 March 1991 |
6 years, 0 days | 1985 | Centre Party | |
| 5 | 
|
Helgi Þorvaldsson (1945–) |
5 March 1991 |
4 March 2009 |
18 years, 0 days | 1991 1997 2003 |
Social Democratic Party | |
| 6 | 
|
Ingibjörg Hallgrímsdóttir (1938–2022) |
5 March 2009 |
4 March 2015 |
6 years, 0 days | 2009 | Other party or unaffiliated | |
| 7 | .jpg)
|
Þórdís Björnsdóttir (1971–) |
5 March 2015 |
4 March 2021 |
6 years, 0 days | 2015 | Centre Party | |
| 8 | 
|
Þorvaldur Jónsson (1975–) |
5 March 2021 |
Incumbent | 3 years, 90 days | 2021 | Liberals | |
Statistics
| Party | Presidents | Total duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Party | 3 | 30 years, 0 days | |
| Social Democratic Party | 1 | 18 years, 0 days | |
| Other party or unaffiliated | 2 | 12 years, 0 days | |
| The Conservatives | 1 | 12 years, 0 days | |
| Liberals | 1 | 3 years, 90 days | |
Duties and responsibilities
Beyond their constitutional powers, the President has ceremonial duties, including representing Hverland at official international events, receiving foreign dignitaries, and delivering the annual State of the Nation address. The President also plays a role in the country's defense, serving as the Commander of the Hverlandic Coast Guard, although this role is largely ceremonial.
The President is also seen as the moral authority of the nation and engages in various social and charitable activities to promote social cohesion, justice, and equality.
Checks and balances
The Office of the President is not without checks and balances. The President can be impeached by the Fjallting for treason, gross misconduct, or violation of the Constitution. The impeachment process is initiated by a two-thirds majority in the Fjallting and culminates in a trial by the Supreme Court.
Influence on legal system
Given Hverland's highly codified and judicially independent legal system, the President plays a critical role in upholding the rule of law. By appointing justices to the Supreme Court, usually on the recommendation of the independent Judicial Appointments Board, the President indirectly influences the interpretation and application of law in the country.