Helga Vagnbjörg Karlsdætr

*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* Helga Vagnbjörg*.*

**Helga Vagnbjörg Karlsdætr** (born 15 February 1996) is a Velkanian politician and activist who has served as a member of the Stádlink for Fjallassandur-4 since 2019. She is a member of the Social Democratic Party. At only 23 years old, Helga Vagnbjörg is the youngest person to ever be elected to parliament in the Velkanian Isles.

Born in Naríthjábæk, Helga Vagnbjörg graduated from Naríthjábæk Academy in 2015, and later enrolled in the University of Naríthjábæk, graduating with a degree in politics in 2018. After finishing her education, Helga Vagnbjörg struggled to find work in her field, instead resorting to part-time jobs in retail and waitressing, while simultaneously volunteering as an activist for the Social Democratic Party, advocating for women's rights and youth rights. Helga Vagnbjörg was elected to the Stádlink for the Social Democratic Party in the 2019 snap election, representing Fjallassandur-4. The election was one of the most-watched contests in the country, with Helga Vagnbjörg narrowly defeating former Minister of Finance Kristbjörn Falgeirsson in a major upset. She has since focused highly on social media interaction with young voters, being ranked as one of the most visible and Internet-active politicians in the Velkanian Isles.

Helga Vagnbjörg has been hailed by prominent Velkanian politicians such as Ólöf Gestursdætr, Brigitta Magnúsdætr, and Katrín Björk Maríusdætr as the "future of the Social Democratic Party," while non-Social Democratic politicians such as Hildegard Kristófersdætr have also expressed admiration for her. She is the most popular politician amongst voters between ages 16 and 22, with a 79% approval rating. Pundits have theorized Helga Vagnbjörg may become a future Social Democratic party leader or Prime Minister.

## Early life and education

Helga Vagnbjörg was born on 15 February 1996 in Naríthjábæk to parents Karl Karlsson (born 1970) and Benedikta Baldrún Jörvarsdætr (born 1970). Both of her parents worked as advertising executives, with Benedikta Baldrún serving as the CEO of her own advertising firm. Helga Vagnbjörg was raised in the Fjallassandur neighborhood of Naríthjábæk as the eldest of three children and only daughter; her younger brothers include Henrik, born  (1998-06-22) 22 June 1998 (age 25), and Sigurbjörn Jón, born  (2000-01-09) 9 January 2000 (age 24).

Helga Vagnbjörg began her education in 2002, attending a local public primary school in Naríthjábæk. As a young child, she was a high academic achiever who idolized Katrín Björk Maríusdætr and dreamed of one day becoming Prime Minister of the Velkanian Isles. Helga Vagnbjörg graduated from primary school in 2012, and subsequently began studying a social sciences program at Naríthjábæk Academy. She graduated from high school in 2015, and afterwards enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at the University of Naríthjábæk. She graduated with a degree in politics in 2018.

After graduating from university, Helga Vagnbjörg was unable to find a job in politics, and was forced to work numerous part-time jobs to make ends meet. She found herself working as a sales associate at a small women's clothing boutique, and later as a hostess and waitress at the Regian restaurant Istorane in Akuhólmur.

## Political career

### Political beginnings

Growing up, Helga Vagnbjörg's family was generally apolitical, and neither of her parents were registered with any political party. When she turned 16, Helga Vagnbjörg registered with the Social Democratic Party, due to her great admiration for Katrín Björk Maríusdætr. Throughout her university studies and before her political career, Helga Vagnbjörg frequently participated in protests and was a volunteer Internet activist for women's rights and youth rights causes.

In 2019, Helga Vagnbjörg applied to stand as a candidate in the 2019 snap election in the Fjallassandur-4 constituency of the Stádlink. Former Minister of Finance Kristbjörn Falgeirsson of the Liberal-Democrats was also running in the constituency, and was predicted to easily win the election. After running a highly engaging Internet-based campaign, targeting young voters, left-wing voters, and female voters, Helga Vagnbjörg went on to be elected. The Left Party chose to not field a candidate in the constituency and instead endorsed Helga Vagnbjörg in order to improve her chances of winning the seat. At only 23 years old, she became the youngest person to ever be elected to parliament in Velkanian history.

## Personal life

Since 2016, Helga Vagnbjörg has resided in a shared four-bedroom apartment in Fjallassandur with another female friend and two male friends. She speaks candidly on her social media accounts about her life outside of politics, often posting about her personal friendships and romantic relationships.

Some pundits have pointed out that Helga Vagnbjörg represents a further left-wing faction of the Social Democrats than most prominent members of the party, and her views align more closely with the Left Party. Helga Vagnbjörg has stated that she is a Social Democrat because it is the party she has aligned herself with since childhood, and cited Katrín Björk Maríusdætr as an example of further left-wing members of the party still being able to achieve success.