Iceland Holds Early Parliamentary Election Amid Turmoil

Iceland held a parliamentary election on Saturday after Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson dissolved his coalition government due to disagreements over immigration, energy policy, and economic issues, marking the sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis. Despite severe weather conditions that affected access to polling stations, all locations opened as scheduled, and results are expected by Sunday morning. Polls indicated a potential shift in power, with support for the ruling coalition—comprised of Benediktsson's Independence Party, the Progressive Party, and the Left-Green Movement—declining significantly. Key issues for voters include rising inflation and increased immigration, with over 4,000 asylum-seekers arriving annually. The election will determine 63 members of the Althingi, Iceland's parliament, through a combination of regional constituencies and proportional representation, with parties needing at least 5% of the vote to secure seats. Historically, Iceland enjoys high voter turnout, with 80% of registered voters participating in the last election in 2021.