Iceland's Minister for Children Resigns Over Past Relationship

Reykjavik, Iceland - Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, Iceland's Minister for Children, has announced her resignation following revelations regarding her past relationship with a teenager over 30 years ago. During a media interview, Thórsdóttir disclosed that she initiated a relationship with a boy when he was 15 years old and she was 22, working as a counselor at a religious group he attended.

Thórsdóttir gave birth to their child when he was 16 and she was 23. In a candid statement to Icelandic media, she reflected, "It's been 36 years, a lot of things change in that time and I would definitely have dealt with these issues differently today."

Prime Minister's Response

Iceland's Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, addressed the situation, calling it "a serious matter." However, she emphasized her limited knowledge about the details, stating, "This is a very personal matter and out of respect for the person concerned, I will not comment on the substance." The Prime Minister was informed about the situation shortly before Thórsdóttir's resignation.

Frostadóttir took immediate action following confirmation of the news, summoning Thórsdóttir to her office. The matter first came to light when Icelandic news agency RUV reported on it Thursday night.

Background of the Relationship

In her interview with RUV, Thórsdóttir explained that she met the child's father, identified as Eirík Ásmundsson, while he was attending the religious group Trú og líf (Religion and Life) due to challenges in his home life. Though the relationship began at a young age and was kept secret, Ásmundsson was present when their child was born and spent the initial year with the family.

RUV also reported that Ásmundsson had attempted to gain legal access to his child through the justice ministry, but Thórsdóttir denied his requests. Despite this, she received child support payments from him for the subsequent 18 years.

Political Implications

The relationship raised significant concerns when a relative of Ásmundsson attempted to contact Prime Minister Frostadóttir regarding the situation last week. After learning it involved a minister, the Prime Minister sought additional information, which contributed to Thórsdóttir's eventual resignation.

In her interview, Thórsdóttir expressed her distress over the contact made to the Prime Minister, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. "I understand... what it looks like," she remarked, stating that it is challenging to convey the full story in the media.

Legal Context

In Iceland, the age of consent is set at 15 years. However, it is illegal for an individual to engage in sexual activities with a person under 18 if they are in a position of authority, have a financial dependency, or are serving in a mentoring role. The maximum penalty for violating this law is three years in prison.

Despite her resignation as Minister for Children, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir clarified that she has no intention of stepping down from her position in parliament.