Iceland Roundup: Björk, Sigur Rós, Eurovision, Israel, Municipality Politics & Tunnels

The Reykjavík Grapevine’s Iceland Roundup brings you the top news with a healthy dash of local views. In this episode, Grapevine publisher Jón Trausti Sigurðarson is joined by Heimildin editor Aðalsteinn Kjartansson and Grapevine friend and contributor Sindri Eldon to round up the stories making headlines in recent weeks.

On the docket this week:

Sigur Rós have joined Björk in the “No Music For Genocide” campaign, boycotting Israel. Launched in September, the initiative made headlines when Björk signed on, and Sigur Rós now follow suit. Their music will no longer be available on streaming platforms in Israel, alongside artists such as Lorde and My Bloody Valentine;

Over the weekend, Björk shared an interview with local music legend, and Eurovision fanboy no.1, Páll Óskar, in which he urged the National Broadcaster, RÚV, not to take part in Eurovision this year. His comments follow the announcement that Israel will be allowed to compete next year, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to say they will not participate in 2026;

A new poll shows that only 2% of Reykjavík residents want the current mayor, Heiða Björk Hilmarsdóttir, to stay on. Names circulating ahead of the municipal elections include former state negotiator Aðalsteinn Leifsson, regional Chief of Police Úlfar Lúðvíksson, and veteran city politician Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, long-time host on RÚV. Parties such as the Centre Party are eyeing gains nationwide, buoyed by recent strong polling;

Iceland’s government has unveiled a new transport infrastructure plan, but the minister responsible, Eyjólfur Ármannsson, has faced criticism for admitting he had not read the report underpinning it. Eastfjords residents are unhappy that the next planned road tunnel is not in their region, and Reykjavík officials have complained that there are now plans to build up infrastructure around the City Airport, which is a reversal of previous plans to limit flight operations out of that airport.