Geir Hilmar Haarde (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈceːir̥ ˈhɪlmar̥ ˈhɔrtɛ]; born 8 April 1951) is an Icelandic politician and former head of government. In August 2014 he was appointed Ambassador of Iceland to the United States and several Latin American countries. He took office on 23 February 2015. Geir was Prime Minister of Iceland from 15 June 2006 to 1 February 2009 and Chairman of the Icelandic Independence Party from 2005 to 2009.