History professor wins Iceland presidential election

Historian and political newcomer Gudni Johannesson has won Iceland's presidential election.The final count showed 39% of Icelanders voted for him, putting him ahead of a former prime minister and central bank governor. Mr Johannesson, who is 47, had told supporters he would try to be a unifying force.The poll came amid anger at the elite, some of whom were alleged to hold offshore accounts in the Panama Papers tax evasion investigation.The scandal forced the resignation of Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson.

However, during campaigning Mr Johannesson - who says he has never been a member of a political party - also called for a constitutional clause allowing citizen-initiated referendums over parliamentary bills.He said this would ensure the nation always had the final say over the biggest issues affecting it.Mr Johannesson is an expert on political history, diplomacy and the constitution, and has not said which political party he supports.

Johannesson says he is an ordinary father who likes to read, jog and play football and has also translated four books by US horror writer Stephen King.