The likelihood of early elections this spring continues to increase, as
anonymous sources tell Morgunblaðið that both ruling parties – the
Social Democrats and the Conservatives – are preparing for the event. According to the sources, it is likely that the Social Democrat national convention will be moved to March or April, and that the Conservatives will move theirs to April as well. Different branches of the Social Democratic party around the country seem to be following the lead of the Reykjavík branch, which earlier called for ending the power-sharing agreement with the Conservatives and holding new elections. The Conservatives, who had originally scheduled their national convention for this month, are now worried about security issues, and if there are elections this May, they would prefer to hold their convention shortly before then.
The chairman of the Social Democratic party, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, told Morgunblaðið that she wants elections this spring, and added that she doesn’t rule out a coalition comprised of Social Democrats, Left-Greens, and Progressives. Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, the new chairman of the Progressive Party, told reporters that he would support such a coalition.
There has been a growing rift within the Social Democratic party, comprised of two camps: those who want to end their partnership with the Conservatives, and those who do not. The former camp appears to be growing, although the chairman continues to contend that the Social Dem-Conservative partnership is sound.
Last December, the Left-Green Party submitted a resolution in parliament calling for early elections. The resolution was defeated, with every sitting MP of the Social Dem-Conservative coalition voting against it.