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Resignation of Iceland’s Children Minister Shakes Political Landscape
Iceland’s Minister for Children, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, has stepped down following revelations about her past relationship with a teenager more than three decades ago. In a candid interview, Thórsdóttir, now 58, disclosed that she began her relationship with a 15-year-old boy when she was 22, serving as a counselor at a religious organization he attended.
She gave birth to their child when the boy was 16 and she was 23. Reflecting on the situation, Thórsdóttir expressed, “It’s been 36 years; a lot changes in that time, and I would definitely have managed these issues differently today,” as she spoke with local media.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir addressed the situation, acknowledging its seriousness but stated she only knew as much as the average citizen. “This is a very personal matter, and out of respect for the individual involved, I will refrain from commenting on the specifics,” she noted.
Frostadóttir commented that she learned about the situation only recently and quickly called Thórsdóttir to her office, where the minister subsequently resigned. The revelations first came to light through an exposé by Icelandic news agency RUV.
Thórsdóttir recounted that she met the boy, identified as Eirík Ásmundsson, while he participated in activities at Trú og líf (Religion and Life). The relationship, described as secretive, saw Ásmundsson present at the birth of their child and involved in the child’s early life, though circumstances changed when Thórsdóttir later married her current spouse.
Documents reportedly submitted by Ásmundsson to the Icelandic Ministry of Justice indicated he sought to have a role in his son’s life, which Thórsdóttir resisted, despite receiving child support payments from him over the next 18 years.
A relative of Ásmundsson attempted to bring the relationship to the attention of the Prime Minister last week. Upon learning it involved a government minister, Frostadóttir sought more information, which ultimately led to the disclosure of the past and Thórsdóttir’s resignation.
During her interview with RUV, Thórsdóttir expressed her discontent with the approach taken by the individual who contacted the Prime Minister, emphasizing the complexity of accurately conveying her story to the public.
While Iceland’s age of consent is set at 15, legal restrictions exist against engaging in sexual relations with individuals under 18 in situations of mentorship, dependency, or employment. Violating these laws may result in imprisonment for up to three years.
Despite her resignation from the ministerial position, Thórsdóttir has stated she does not intend to relinquish her seat in parliament.
Source
www.bbc.com