The Icelandic government has fallen. Consequently, there will be parliamentary elections on November 30th, in six weeks. During this short time, much is bound to happen. The parties will first focus on forming candidate lists, then dive into a swift and intense election campaign. The new chairperson of the Left-Green Movement (Vinstri græn), one of the three parties in the current government coalition, has no interest in being part of an interim government under the leadership of Bjarni Benediktsson, the leader of the Independence Party and the Prime Minister. There are eight political parties represented in Althingi, the Icelandic Parliament. According to opinion polls, the Social Democratic Alliance (Samfylkingin) and the Center Party (Midflokkurinn) are gaining momentum, while the three governing parties, Left-Green, Independence, and Progressive Party (Framsóknarflokkur), are showing very low support, among their lowest ever numbers. It could even mean that the Left-Green Movement—which has led the government for six years, up until Katrín Jakobsdóttir resigned from Parliament and her post as Prime Minister to run for President with Mr Benediktsson taking over—may be wiped out in the upcoming elections.
But despite the political tension in the air, life goes on as usual in the capital. Tourists fill the city center. Icelandic Times ventured downtown, capturing everyday moments through a 135mm lens, witnessing, among other things, swans singing their swan song on the city pond—a fitting tribute to the fallen government, maybe.
Reykjavík, 15/10/2024: A7R IV – FE 1.8/135mm GM
Images & Text: Páll Stefánsson
