Progressive MP Gives Mixed Messages On Early Elections

A Progressive MP told attendees of a party meeting that the government has a mandate to serve until spring 2017.

Bæjarins bestu reports that Progressive MP Ásmundur Einar Daðason, at a meeting with Progressive in Ísafjörður last Wednesday, told attendees that the ruling coalition was “looking into the possibility” of early elections this autumn. This is quite different from the contentions of Prime Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, himself also a member of the Progressives, who told reporters last week that “there is no doubt” that elections will be held in the autumn.

Ásmundur added furthermore that the ruling coalition has a “mandate” to stay in office until spring 2017, which is when parliamentary elections were originally slated to take place, suggesting that the government is prioritising passing its submitted legislation before deciding on when elections will be held.

Opposition party leadership have already expressed confidence that the ruling coalition will stand by their word when it comes to autumn elections, and they are currently meeting with the Prime Minister.

Despite both ruling coalition and opposition MPs alike seemingly satisfied with autumn elections, the latest poll shows that the largest share of Icelanders want immediate parliamentary dissolution, with elections to follow much sooner than the autumn.