Róbert Ríkarðarson

*This name uses Velkanian naming customs; the last name is a patronymic, not a family name. This person should be properly referred to by the given name* Róbert.

**Róbert Ríkarðarson** (born 12 June 1968) is a Velkanian politician who has served as Minister of Transportation and Local Governance in the second Sif María Vilhjálmardattir cabinet since 2018, becoming the first openly gay man to serve as a minister in the Velkanian Isles. He is a member of the Reform Party, and has served in the Orthing since 2018.

Born in Narísandur, Róbert graduated from the Narísandur College of the Performing Arts in 1988, with a specialization in piano performance. Afterwards, he enrolled in the University of Velkania, where he graduated with a degree in music education in 1992. Róbert subsequently received his teaching certifications, and became a music educator at a primary school in Narísandur. In 1999, he began teaching piano performance at the Narísandur College of the Performing Arts, becoming the head piano instructor in 2005, and later the dean of the instrumental performance department in 2010. Róbert left his career in music education in 2018, beginning a career in politics. He stood as a candidate for the Reform Party in the 2018 election, where he was elected to the Orthing. The party entered a coalition deal with the Liberal-Conservatives and People's Party, leading Róbert to be nominated Minister of Transportation and Local Governance by Sif María Vilhjálmardattir for her second cabinet.

## Early life, education, and career

Róbert was born on 12 June 1968 in Narísandur to parents Ríkarður Róbertsson (born 1936) and Eiðunn Ástveig Einarsdattir (born 1940). His father was a concert pianist, while his mother is a former opera singer turned homemaker. Róbert was raised in a middle-class family in the Húsjavík neighborhood of Narísandur. He is the eldest of three brothers; his younger brothers include Bergsteinn, born  (1970-12-28) 28 December 1970 (age 53), and Kaspar, born  (1973-05-12) 12 May 1973 (age 50).

Róbert began his education in 1974, attending a local, public primary school. From a young age, Róbert was inspired by his parents to be interested in music, and he began playing the piano at age four. Róbert graduated from primary school in 1984, subsequently enrolling in the Narísandur College of the Performing Arts to study piano performance. He ultimately graduated from the school in 1988, subsequently enrolling in the Faculty of Education at the University of Velkania to study music education. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1992.

After graduating from university, Róbert received teaching credentials to teach music for the primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary levels. He began his career as a music educator at a primary school in Narísandur. In 1999, he began teaching piano performance at the Narísandur College of the Performing Arts, becoming the head piano instructor in 2005, and later the dean of the instrumental performance department in 2010.

## Political career

### Early politics

Róbert first became involved in politics in 2015, after joining Ásleif Guðlín Erlendardattir in creating the Reform Party, being one of its original members. Róbert had previously had no political affiliation, although he most often voted for the Green-Socialist Party. Following the party's creation, Róbert was cited by the media as ranking second in the party's unofficial hierarchy, behind Ásleif herself. He then began campaigning on behalf of the party, doing media appearances and speaking at political rallies.

In the run-up to the 2018 election, Róbert supported with Ásleif's assertions that the party's political platform was "very similar" to the Social Democrats, but that it emphasized anti-corruption, government transparency, and citizens' direct involvement in democracy, which "directly contrasts which the platform of the Social Democrats." In the 2018 election, the Reform Party won eight seats, with Róbert being elected to the Orthing.

### Minister of Transportation and Local Governance

After the success of the Reform Party in the election, the party entered into a coalition agreement with the Liberal-Conservative Party and People's Party. The media began reporting that Róbert was expected to be appointed to a ministerial position due to him being one of Ásleif's "closest confidants;" soon, the media began reporting that his preferred ministerial post was Minister of Education and Culture.

Ministerial discussions concluded on 13 March, with Róbert being nominated by Sif María Vilhjálmardattir to serve as Minister of Transportation and Local Governance in her second cabinet, becoming the first openly gay man to serve as a minister in the Velkanian Isles. The government was sworn in by Ragnhildur II later that day.

## Personal life

Róbert first met Velkanian concert violinist Bergdís Anna Þórsteinnsdattir in 1987. They initially met while they both were students at the Narísandur College of the Performing Arts, but did not begin a romantic relationship until they met again in 1994. They became engaged in 1996, and later married the following year. They had two daughters together: Laíla Jakóbína, born  (2000-04-23) 23 April 2000 (age 23), and Oktavía Víóletta, born  (2002-11-19) 19 November 2002 (age 21). Róbert came out as gay to his family and friends in 2005, and he and his wife divorced. They have remained close friends and share joint custody of their two children.

Róbert began a relationship with Velkanian jazz musician Ragn Björn Hrafnsson in 2008, after meeting at a jazz club Ragn was performing at. They entered into a registered partnership in 2010, later marrying in 2014. They reside in the Djúpisandur neighborhood of Narísandur.