Words by

Andie Sophia Fontaine

Photo by

Baldur Kristjáns

A new poll from Market and Media Research reveals a lot about the personality traits voters attribute to different politicians.

Respondents were asked which personality traits they most associate with a list of party chairpersons, along with President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and Reykjavík mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson. While results were mixed for MPs of the opposition, Left-Green chairperson Katrín Jakobsdóttir came out on top in most categories. The chairpersons of the ruling coalition – Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson and Bjarni Benediktsson – scored decidedly low under several headings.

For ease of reading, we’ve broken the poll down into its headings, listing the highest and lowing scoring politicians for each trait, with a key below for which party they hail from, when applicable:

Honourable
Highest: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG), 47%
Lowest: Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (F), 9%

Charming
Highest: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG), 36%
Lowest: Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (F), 5%

True to themselves
Highest: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG), 48%
Lowest: Bjarni Benediktsson (Sj), 19%

Strong
Highest: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, 33%
Lowest: Árni Páll Árnason (Sf), 9%

In touch with the people
Highest: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG), 34%
Lowest: Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (F), 5%

Born leader
Highest: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, 30%
Lowest: Árni Páll Árnason (Sf), 3%

Decisive
Highest: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG), 42%
Lowest: Guðmundur Steingrímsson (Bf), 13%

Works well under pressure
Highest: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, 23%
Lowest: Guðmundur Steingrímsson (Bf), 6%

Gets things done
Highest: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, 23%
Lowest: Guðmundur Steingrímsson (Bf), 4%

Respects the opinions of others
Highest: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG), 31%
Lowest: Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (F), 5%

Defends the public’s interests
Highest: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG), 35%
Lowest: Bjarni Benediktsson (Sj), 8%

Key
VG: Left-Greens
F: Progressives
Sj: Independence Party
Sf: Social Democrats
Bf: Bright Future