Iceland: Political structure

Content Type

Country Data and Maps

Institution

Economist Intelligence Unit

Abstract

No abstract is available.

Topic

Politics, Summary, Political structure

Political Geography

Iceland

Official name

Republic of Iceland

Form of state

Parliamentary republic

Legal system

Based on the constitution of 1944

National legislature

Althingi (parliament) of 63 members elected for a four-year term

Electoral system

Universal direct suffrage over the age of 18; proportional representation

National elections

Most recent legislative election held on October 28th 2017. Next election is due by October 23rd 2021

Head of state

President, directly elected for a four-year term; Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson (an independent) was elected to a second term in June 2020. The next presidential election is due in June 2024

National government

Responsible to the Althingi. A coalition of the Left-Green Movement (LGM), the centre-right Independence Party (IP) and the Progressive Party (PP) was formed on November 30th 2017

Main political parties

Independence Party (IP; 16 seats); Left-Green Movement (LGM; 11 seats); Progressive Party (PP; eight seats); Social Democratic Alliance (SDA; seven seats); Centre Party (seven seats); Pirate Party (PIR; six seats); People's Party (four seats); Vidreisn (Reform; four seats)

Ministers

Prime minister: Katrin Jakobsdottir (LGM)

Education, science & culture: Lilja Dogg Alfredsdottir (PP)

Environment & natural resources: Gudmundur Ingi Gudbrandsson (LGM)

Finance & economic affairs: Bjarni Benediktsson (IP)

Fisheries & agriculture: Kristjan Thor Juliusson (IP)

Foreign affairs: Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson (IP)

Health: Svandis Svavarsdottir (LGM)

Justice: Aslaug Arna Sigurbjornsdottir (IP)

Social affairs & housing: Asmundur Einar Dadason (PP)

Tourism, industry & innovation: Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir (IP)

Transport & local government: Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson (PP)

Central bank governor

Asgeir Jonsson

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