Iceland’s Minister of Education Resigns Amid Controversy Over Past Relationship

Reykjavik, Iceland – Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir, Iceland’s Minister of Education and Children’s Affairs, has resigned from her position following revelations of a past relationship with a minor she mentored nearly three decades ago. The 58-year-old politician disclosed that this relationship began when she was a 22-year-old counselor at a religious organization and involved a 15-year-old boy, Eirk Asmundsson. The relationship resulted in the birth of a child when Asmundsson was 16 years old and Thorsdottir was 23. In an interview with the Icelandic news outlet Visir, Thorsdottir described the relationship as a youthful mistake. “It’s been 36 years; a lot of things have changed in that time. I would definitely have dealt with these issues differently today,” she stated. Despite her acknowledgement of the past, she expressed that she did not want this incident to overshadow her work within the ministry and confirmed her intent to remain in parliament.

The relationship has sparked significant national controversy, especially after Asmundsson alleged that Thorsdottir obstructed his efforts to maintain contact with their child. Reports from the Icelandic news agency RUV indicate that while Asmundsson was present at the birth and shared the first year of the child's life, he faced challenges in securing access to his son. Documents submitted to Iceland’s justice ministry reveal that his requests for visitation rights were denied, despite him making child support payments for 18 years.

Under Icelandic law, it is illegal for adults in leadership roles such as mentors or teachers to engage in sexual relationships with minors under the age of 18. Violating this law can result in a maximum penalty of three years in prison, according to the Icelandic General Penal Code.

Thorsdottir’s resignation follows attempts by a relative of Asmundsson to contact Iceland’s Prime Minister regarding the affair. In light of potential disruptions the situation could cause to government functioning, Thorsdottir stepped down. “We know what the news is like today, and issues like this, if I remained minister, would be brought up again and again,” she explained. “There would never really be any peace in the government.”

The controversy has reignited discussions across Iceland concerning power dynamics and the expectations of accountability for mentors and educators. As the situation develops, calls for further legal and ethical assessments of such relationships continue to grow in the public and political arenas.

Published By: Meghna Barik
Published On: Mar 22, 2025