Hermann Jónasson
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| Hermann Jónasson | |
| [[Image:|225px|Hermann Jónasson]] |
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| In office 1934 – 1942 |
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| Preceded by | Ásgeir Ásgeirsson |
| Succeeded by | Ólafur Thors |
| In office 1956 – 1958 |
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| President | Ásgeir Ásgeirsson |
| Preceded by | Ólafur Thors |
| Succeeded by | Emil Jónsson |
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| Born | December, 1896 |
| Died | January 22, 1976 |
| Nationality | Iceland |
| Political party | Progressive Party |
Hermann Jónasson (December 25, 1896–January 22, 1976) was an Icelandic politician of the Progressive Party, who was Prime Minister of Iceland on two occasions.
He served his first term from 28 July 1934 to 16 May 1942. This term included one of the most difficult times in Icelandic history. In the pre-war years he had to deal with constant pressures from Nazi Germany and Great Britain regarding Iceland's diplomatic stance. After World War II started, the German occupation of Denmark severed the ties between the two countries, forcing Iceland to assume full control over its foreign interests which had previously been represented by Denmark. Subsequently, the British occupied Iceland on 10 May 1940.
His second term lasted from 24 July 1956 to 23 December 1958. In the elections of 1956 the Progressive Party and the Social Democratic Party joined forces and formed an electoral alliance that became known as the "Fear-Alliance" (Icelandic: Hræðslubandalagið, the fear in question being the fear of the Independence Party). After the elections the "Fear-Alliance" formed a coalition with The People's Alliance. This was Iceland's first leftist government, and was plagued with troubles from the outset, not the least of which was the relative hostility and distrust of the United States and other NATO allies. The coalition eventually fell apart, giving way to the long-lasting "Reconstruction Government" of the Independence Party and the Social Democrats.
Hermann had a reputation for being a very strong willed and often hot-tempered man (once slapping a Socialist member of the Althing). He however gained great respect of political co-workers and adversaries alike, and is fondly remembered as one of Iceland's greatest 20th Century politicians.
He was the father of Steingrímur Hermannsson who would go on to become Prime Minister of Iceland in the 1980s.
In 2007 Hermann was the subject of a mild controversy, when DNA-testing proved that he had, during his years as a public official, fathered a child out of wedlock. A lawyer named Lúðvík Gizurarson had for several years claimed to be Hermann's illegitimate son. After several years of legal battles, Lúðvík's case was put to a DNA-test which turned out positive.
| Preceded by Ásgeir Ásgeirsson |
Prime Minister of Iceland (first term) 1934–1942 |
Succeeded by Ólafur Thors |
| Preceded by Ólafur Thors |
Prime Minister of Iceland (second term) 1956–1958 |
Succeeded by Emil Jónsson |
| Preceded by Jónas Jónsson |
Chairman of the Progressive Party 1944–1962 |
Succeeded by Eysteinn Jónsson |
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| Persondata | |
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| NAME | Jónasson, Hermann |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Icelandic politician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 25, 1896 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 22, 1976 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
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