Iceland Election Called After Government Splits Over Issues
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Iceland is heading to the polls for an early parliamentary election, marking another chapter in the country’s political instability since the 2008 financial crisis. Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson called for the snap election after his coalition government crumbled due to conflicts over immigration, energy, and economic policies.
Recent polls indicate potential political upheaval, with the ruling coalition parties experiencing declining support. Benediktsson, who assumed leadership in April following his predecessor’s resignation, failed to maintain unity among his Independence Party, the Progressive Party, and the Left-Green Movement.
Icelanders voted to elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call an early election. https://t.co/R3zKwc3PAW
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 30, 2024
Iceland takes pride in its democratic heritage as one of the world’s oldest parliamentary democracies, with its parliament, the Althingi, established by Norse settlers in 930. However, severe weather conditions might affect voter turnout, with heavy snowfall blocking access to polling stations and potentially delaying ballot counting after polls close at 10 p.m.
The election will determine 63 parliamentary seats through regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties must secure at least 5% of votes to gain representation, with ten parties competing this time, compared to eight in the previous parliament.
“The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,” said Vilhjálmur Bjarnason a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision … That is very difficult for us.”
Iceland is holding its sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis, as political instability continues to define the island nation. Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson called for early elections after his coalition collapsed over disputes on the economy and immigration. pic.twitter.com/c852SIKvLt
— International Association for Democracy (IAD) (@ia_democracy) November 30, 2024
The 2008 financial crisis transformed Iceland’s political landscape, leading to widespread distrust in traditional parties and the emergence of new political movements. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,” said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.”
Currently, Iceland faces multiple challenges, including high inflation, which reached 10.2% in February 2023 before declining to 5.1% in October. The country is also grappling with immigration pressures, experiencing a surge in asylum seekers to over 4,000 annually in recent years.
Additionally, volcanic eruptions have displaced thousands, straining public resources and exacerbating housing shortages. The tourism boom has further complicated the housing crisis, making it increasingly difficult for young Icelanders to find affordable homes.
