It has just been announced that formal talks will begin between the Independence Party, the Restoration Party and Bright Future for forming Iceland’s next ruling coalition. The President has been informed of the decision.
While the possibility of this coalition appeared to be on shaky ground this morning, RÚV now reports that these three parties have agreed to start formal coalition talks.
It is uncertain who will be Iceland’s next Prime Minister. The chairperson of the largest party often takes this title for themselves, but it is not unusual for the Prime Ministership to be granted to the chair of a smaller party in the coalition, either at the start of or later on in the term.
The Independence Party and the Restoration Party are both conservative parties, while Bright Future takes a centrist position. However, their combined seats will give them a majority of only one seat. Should even one of these MPs leave their respective parliamentary party, the coalition will be defeated.
In the event of slim majorities, other parties can sometimes take the role of “defending” the coalition, i.e., not being a part of the coalition but voting in their favour on legislation. No word has yet been made on which party, if any, will defend this new coalition.
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