Iceland Calls November Election Amid Coalition Collapse

Iceland's coalition government, formed by the Independence Party, Progressive Party, and the Left-Green Movement in 2021, has collapsed due to policy disagreements, particularly on issues like foreign policy and asylum seekers. Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson announced the dissolution of the government and has proposed an early parliamentary election to be held in late November. Benediktsson met with President Halla Tómasdóttir to formally request the dissolution of parliament, with the President expected to consult party leaders before deciding on the election date. This would mark Iceland's first November election in nearly a century. The move follows a period of dissent within the coalition and coincides with external pressures, such as recent volcanic eruptions causing evacuations and economic strain. Benediktsson's decision to leave the future to voters reflects the political instability that has grown since the previous prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, resigned to run unsuccessfully for the presidency.