The country’s voters are choosing a new parliament on Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy, and the economy led to the collapse of Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson’s coalition government, prompting early elections.
These elections are the sixth since the 2008 financial crisis, which devastated Iceland’s economy and ushered in an era of political instability. According to polls, the country may face new political shifts, as support for the three ruling parties has significantly declined.
Benediktsson, who became prime minister in April after the resignation of his predecessor, has struggled to maintain the unstable coalition of his conservative Independence Party, the centrist Progressive Party, and the Left-Green Movement.
Voters will elect 63 members of the Althing, with seats allocated both by regional districts and through a proportional representation system. Parties must receive at least 5% of the vote to secure seats in parliament. The previous parliament had representation from eight parties, while ten parties are participating in these elections.
