Icelandic Social Democrats Secure Victory in Recent Election

Overview of the Results

Key Statistics

• Social Democratic Alliance: 20.8% of the vote, 15 seats

• Independence Party: 19.4% of the vote, 14 seats (down from 24.4% in 2021)

• Liberal Reform Party: 15.8% of the vote, 11 seats

Election Issues

The issues of immigration, energy policy, and the economy played a central role in the campaign. However, according to a Gallup poll released in early November, only 32% of respondents listed immigration as a top issue, and only 18% included asylum issues.

Coalition Collapse

The coalition collapsed over the treatment of immigrants and asylum-seekers, as well as energy and housing issues. Benediktsson resigned in October, almost a year before the deadline for parliamentary elections.

Reaction and Next Steps

Frostadottir’s next step will likely be seeking coalition partners to command a parliamentary majority. In June, businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir won Iceland’s presidential election.

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Election Results in Iceland

Opposition Social Democrats Win Election

Iceland’s opposition Social Democratic Alliance has won the country’s snap election, ousting Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson’s ruling Independence Party.

Voting Results

Key Issues

• Only 32% of respondents listed immigration as a top issue.

• Only 18% included asylum issues.

• Health care, economic issues, and housing were the top concerns for more than 60% of respondents.

Reactions

European Union membership resurfaced in the campaign for the first time in over a decade. The opposition party’s victory could potentially pave the way for Iceland to join the bloc, with public support reaching 45 percent.