Síf María Vílhelmsdætr

*This is a Velkanian name. The last name is a patronymic, not a family name. The subject should be referred to by the given name* Síf María*.*

**Síf María Vílhelmsdætr** (born 2 July 1966) is a Velkanian politician who has served as Prime Minister of the Velkanian Isles since 2012. She has additionally served as the Leader of the Velkanian Liberal-Democratic Party since 2009, and as a member of the Stádlink for the Capital Region since 2004. Síf María is the fifth female Prime Minister of the Velkanian Isles since the restoration of their independence in 1966, and the first to have been born in an independent Velkanian Isles.

Born in Naríthjábæk, Síf María was educated at the prestigious Naríthjábæk Junior College, where she studied a social sciences program and graduated in 1985. After her graduation, she enrolled in the University of Velkania, where she graduation with a degree in political science in 1988. Following her graduating from university, Síf María worked in the public sector, working as an aide in the Stádlink for several different politicians from 1989 to 2003. She stood for election for the first time in the 2004 election, as a member of the Liberal-Democratic Party for the Capital Region. The party ultimately won enough seats and Síf María was elected to the Stádlink.

Continuously in the opposition, Síf María established herself as an outspoken critic of the government of Davíd Pétursson following her election. She was later reelected to a second term in the 2008 election. Following the party's poor performance, leader Ýrma Anna Jónsdætr announced her resignation, and Síf María declared her candidacy to stand in the leadership election. While initially an outsider due to her relative lack of experience, Síf María ultimately won the election. She subsequently led the party into the 2012 election, where they saw a massive increase in seats and formed a coalition government with the Green-Agrarian Party. The coalition held a majority of seats in the Stádlink, and Síf María was elected Prime Minister. In the 2016 election, the party saw an even further increase in seats; this increase gave them a majority on their own, and they discontinued their coalition with the Green-Agrarians.

## Early life and education

Síf María was born on 2 July 1966 in Naríthjábæk to parents Vílhelm Orvarsson (born 1931) and Audbjörg Ísaksdætr (born 1935). Her father worked in the finance industry, eventually becoming a hedge fund manager by the 1980s, while Audbjörg was a solicitor who specialized in family law; the family was relatively upper-class. Síf María is the youngest of three children; her elder siblings include brother Kristbjörn, born  (1963-12-29) 29 December 1963 (age 60), and sister Petra Sveinbjörg, born  (1965-01-23) 23 January 1965 (age 59). Kristbjörn also works in finance, while Petra Sveinbjörg runs an interior decorating business.

Síf María began her education in 1972, attending a local primary school in Naríthjábæk. While in primary school, Síf María was a high academic achiever who excelled in reading, writing, and history. She graduated in 1982, and then enrolled in Naríthjábæk Junior College, the most prestigious high school in the Velkanian Isles. While at Naríthjábæk Junior College, Síf María studied a social sciences program and was elected lead girl during her final year. She graduated in 1985, and subsequently enrolled in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Velkania, receiving a degree in political science in 1988.

## Political career

### Political beginnings

Síf María first entered politics as an aide in 1989. Working in the Stádlink, Síf María worked in the offices of various politicians. She ultimately left the industry in 2003, in order to begin a political career of her own.

After volunteering for a year with the local Liberal-Democratic organization in the Capital Region, Síf María was chosen to stand for the party in the 2004 election. The party ultimately won enough seats, and Síf María was elected to the Stádlink. She later won reelection in the 2008 election.

### Prime Minister of the Velkanian Isles

Due to the party's poor performance in the 2008 election, party leader Ýrma Anna Jónsdætr announced her resignation, and Síf María declared her candidacy to stand in the leadership election. Of the two candidates, Síf María was seen as the less likely choice compared to the more popular and well-known Daníel Ellís Sölvarsson. However, after strong debate performances and clever campaigning strategies, Síf María went on to win the election.

As the new party leader, Síf María led the Liberal-Democrats into the 2012 election. Her leadership brought massive success for the party, resulting in them receiving the highest amount of seats in the Stádlink. Forming a coalition with the Green-Agrarian Party, the Liberal-Democrats secured a parliamentary majority and Síf María was elected Prime Minister of the Velkanian Isles. In her cabinet, Síf María appointed Daníel Ellís as Minister of Foreign Affairs, the most senior position in a Velkanian cabinet.

She led the party again into the 2016 election, securing a majority with her party alone. Subsequently, the coalition with the Green-Agrarians collapsed as they no longer needed their support in parliament.

## Personal life

Síf María began a relationship with Velkanian economist Sigmar Ólafsson in 1990. They became engaged in 1994, and later married in 1996. With Sigmar, they have three children: Kristína (born 1999), Matthías (born 2000), and Sebastían (born 2002). Since her election in 2012, the family has resided at Gardaröst in Naríthjábæk.

Since the early-2010s, Síf María has had a close friendship with Ragnhildur IV. Their friendship has been closely documented by the Velkanian media, with journalists noting the two's frequent lunch meetings and family get-togethers. In 2015, Ragnhildur called Síf María a "close family friend", but reaffirmed how their friendship does not impact her own devotion to non-partisanship.