Deputy Progressive MP and former Intercultural Director Einar Skúlason defeated sitting Progressive city councilman Óskar Bergsson in the primaries for this spring’s municipal elections. As such, Skúlason will lead the list of Progressive candidates running for Reykjavík city council, Vísir reports.
Voting took place at Hótel Loftleiðir at ten o’ clock yesterday morning. In all, Skúlason won 62% of the vote to Bergsson’s 38% – 298 ballots to 182, respectively. Skúlason told reporters that he was grateful for the groundswell of support he received.
Skúlason decided to run when the grassroots of the Progressive Party called for renewal. Bergsson became a city councilman when former Progressive city councilman Björn Ingi Hrafnsson resigned in January 2008.
The Progressive Party currently only has one seat out of a possible 15 on city council. Other parties are currently preparing for their primaries, in the run up to nationwide municipal elections this spring.