Björn Eiríkur Halldórsson

*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* Björn Eiríkur*.*

**Björn Eiríkur Halldórsson** (born 27 October 1976) is a Velkanian politician and lawyer who served as Minister of the Environment from 2012 to 2016. A Green-Agrarian, he also served in the Stádlink from 2008 to 2016.

Born in Naríthjábæk, Björn Eiríkur graduated from Naríthjábæk Academy in 1996. After finishing high school, he enrolled in the University of Velkania, and graduated with his law degree in 2002. After finishing his education, he began working as a lawyer for the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, where he practiced environmental law. In 2006, he received a master's degree from the University of Velkania in environmental law. Björn Eiríkur was elected to the Stádlink for the Green-Agararians in the 2008 election, representing the Capital Region constituency. Björn Eiríkur was later appointed Minister of the Environment by Síf María Vílhelmsdætr for her first cabinet in 2012, but left the position after the coalition between the Liberal-Democrats and Green-Agrarians collapsed in 2016.

Björn Eiríkur lost his seat in the 2016 election, and subsequently ended his political career. After leaving politics, he returned to law and established his own private practice, where he practices environmental law. Björn Eiríkur also teaches a course in environmental law at the University of Velkania.

## Early life and education

Björn Eiríkur was born 27 October 1976 in Naríthjábæk to parents Halldór Eiríkursson (born 1945) and Kristín Vilhjálmsdætr (born 1948). His father worked as a general contractor, while his mother was a housewife. The family was relatively working-class. Björn Eiríkur grew up as the second of three children and only son; his sisters include María Hvönn, born  (1973-07-08) 8 July 1973 (age 50), and Hildur Natalía, born  (1980-12-23) 23 December 1980 (age 43).

Björn Eiríkur began his education in 1983, attending a local public primary school. In school, he was a high academic achiever who often spoke about wishing to become a scientist. He ultimately graduated from primary school in 1993, and subsequently enrolled in Naríthjábæk Academy to study a mathematics and natural sciences program. Shortly after beginning high school, Björn Eiríkur realized he did not actually enjoy science, and switched to a business and law program. He graduated from high school in 1996. After graduating, Björn Eiríkur enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Velkania, graduating with his law degree in 2002. Afterwards, he began working as an attorney for the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, where he practiced environmental law. In 2006, he received a master's degree from the University of Velkania in environmental law.

## Political career

### Political beginnings

Björn Eiríkur was raised in a Social Democratic family, but became disillusioned with the party as a teenager due to the importance of environmental issues. He registered with the Green-Agrarian Party upon turning 16.

In 2008, Björn Eiríkur applied to stand as a candidate in the 2008 election in the Capital Region constituency of the Stádlink. He went on to be elected, and was reelected in 2012. Björn Eiríkur lost his seat in the 2016 election.

### Minister of the Environment

After the Liberal-Democrats won the 2012 election and Síf María Vílhelmsdætr secured a coalition agreement with the Green-Agrarian Party, it was announced by Síf María that she would be nominating Björn Eiríkur for the position of Minister of the Environment in her first cabinet. Ragnhildur IV formally appointed Björn Eiríkur as Minister of the Environment on 1 December 2012. The Liberal-Democrats won a majority of seats in the 2016 election, leading to the dissolution of the coalition government in favor of a single-party government of the Liberal-Democrats. Because of this, Björn Eiríkur lost her ministerial position.

## Post-political career

After losing his seat in the Stádlink in the 2016 election, Björn Eiríkur announced his retirement from politics, and subsequently left his political career. In January 2017, he announced the formation of his private practice law firm, established with his business partners Sofía Halm and Gréta Anna Skólfursdætr. The specializes in environmental law. In August 2018, he began teaching the course "Environmental Law and its Place in Government" at the Faculty of Law of the University of Velkania.

## Personal life

Björn Eiríkur began a relationship with Velkanian pastry chef and business owner Gústafína Daníelsdætr in 2005, after they were set up on a blind date. They became engaged in 2008, and later married the following year. The family has two daughters together: Krista Ingdís, born  (2011-07-01) 1 July 2011 (age 12), and Elín Síf, born  (2013-04-28) 28 April 2013 (age 10).