Sunday, October 13, 2024

Iceland's Prime Minister Calls for Elections Following Coalition Breakdown

 

Iceland’s Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, has announced the dissolution of the governing coalition and plans for new elections to be held on November 30. During a press conference, Benediktsson cited increasing disagreements among the three coalition parties on various issues, including foreign policy and asylum seeker concerns.

He is scheduled to meet with Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir on Monday to discuss the decision to dissolve parliament. According to Icelandic law, elections must occur within 45 days after the announcement of parliament's dissolution.

Benediktsson, who leads the right-leaning Independence Party, took office in April, succeeding Katrín Jakobsdóttir after her decision to resign and run for president. The coalition, which includes the Independence Party, the center-right Progressive Party, and the Left Greens, has struggled with instability amid recent volcanic eruptions that have displaced thousands and added pressure to an already strained economy, characterized by rising inflation and increasing interest rates.

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