Words by

Catharine Fulton

The Independence Party voted at its national congress two weekends ago to lower the legal drinking age in Iceland from 20 to 18. However polls taken to reflect the opinions of the nation show that this position is not in keeping with the majority’s sentiments on the subject.
The majority of the population, 56%, polled as ‘very or fairly opposed’ to reducing the legal drinking age, RÚV reports. Just 28% are ‘very or fairly in favour’ of the resolution, and 15% indicated that their stance on the matter is neutral. Interestingly, those who identify as supporters of the Independence Party are also mostly opposed to the age-limit reduction (52%), though they are also more in favour than the population as a whole (37%).