Iceland Elections Overview


Icelandic flags outside Reykjavík City Hall. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Eivind Sætre (CC-BY-2.5)

KEY FACTS
Freedom House Rating
Free
Government Type
Unitary Parliamentary Republic
Population
351,000
UPCOMING ICELAND ELECTIONS

Snap Parliamentary Elections
November 30, 2024

PAST ICELAND ELECTIONS
Presidential Election
June 1, 2024
Parliamentary Elections
September 25, 2021

Iceland is holding snap parliamentary elections on November 30, 2024 following the collapse of the coalition government of the conservative Independence Party, center-right Progressive Party, and the Left-Green Movement. The coalition had been in power since November 2021. Snap elections are fairly common in Iceland.

Political Context

Because Iceland is a parliamentary republic, the president’s role is largely ceremonial. The prime minister has most executive powers. Following the upcoming parliamentary elections, parliament will choose the prime minister.

Geopolitical Context

Iceland, formerly under the control of the Denmark and Norway, became independent but in union with Denmark in 1918. In 1944, Icelanders voted in a referendum to sever ties with Denmark and form a republic. Although neutral during World War II (but occupied by British and American forces), Iceland became a founding member of NATO in 1949 (although the country does not have a military).

Iceland is strategically located at the intersection of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans (although it considers itself fully in the Arctic). Although not a member of the European Union (Iceland applied, but then froze and later withdrew the application because it was controversial domestically), Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Schengen.

Curated News and Analysis

 

Hallgrímur Indriðason, Nordic Labour Journal (October 21, 2024): Iceland facing watershed moment as PM calls snap elections

Iceland Review (October 18, 2024): Iceland News Review: Surprise Elections!

Le Monde with AFP (October 13, 2024): Iceland’s government coalition collapses, new elections to be held in November

 

Updated October 31, 2024

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