Iceland’s Minister for Children and Education, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, has resigned after revealing details about a past relationship that raised concerns. She admitted to having a child with a 15-year-old boy more than 35 years ago, according to reports from Icelandic media.
Thórsdóttir, 22 at the time, began a relationship with the teenager when she worked as a counselor for a religious group. She gave birth to their son when she was 23, and the boy was 16. The relationship was kept private, but the father was present during the birth and had initial contact with the child. However, most of the contact stopped before the child turned one year old.
Under Iceland’s criminal law, the legal age of consent is 15. However, it is illegal for adults in a position of authority, such as a teacher, to engage in sexual relations with someone under 18. In such cases, the adult could face up to 12 years in prison.
The father, in an interview with Icelandic public broadcaster RUV, explained that he never saw himself as a victim but was in a difficult situation in his life at the time. He had sought support from the religious group where he met Thórsdóttir. Despite his efforts to see his child, including seeking help from the Ministry of Justice and the church’s family services, Thórsdóttir denied him visitation rights.
Thórsdóttir resigned shortly after the issue was reported. She will continue to serve as a member of parliament for the People’s Party. Prime Minister Kristersson Frostadóttir confirmed that Thórsdóttir made the decision to step down after meeting with Iceland’s three party leaders. Frostadóttir added that Thórsdóttir had fully accepted responsibility for her actions.
“It is an unfortunate situation, but it is unrelated to our work,” the Prime Minister stated, referring to the ongoing investigation that began when the issue came to light a week ago.
Heimir Mar Pétursson, the People’s Party communications chief, clarified in a statement that Thórsdóttir denies preventing the father from seeing his child. He explained that the two met during a Christian youth event and that Thórsdóttir was not responsible for organizing the event. Pétursson also emphasized that Icelandic law at the time set the legal age of independence at 16 and the age of sexual consent at 14.
Thórsdóttir’s resignation will take effect on Sunday, following confirmation by Iceland’s president at a meeting of the Council of State.
