Parliamentary Dissolution Measure Defeated

A proposal to dissolve parliament and hold earlier elections was defeated by the ruling coalition moments ago.

A vote taken just moments ago in the Icelandic parliament, calling for the dissolution of parliament and the commencement of new elections, was defeated. The ruling coalition of the Independence Party and the Progressive Party used all 38 of their seats in Iceland’s 63-seat parliament to block the measure, with the exception of Independence Party MP Unnur Brá Konráðsdóttir, who voted in favour.

Numerous members of the ruling coalition expressed the notion that they have done enough, pointing out that Sigmundur Davíð is no longer Prime Minister, a “new” government is in place, and they have promised new elections in the autumn, without specifying an exact date.

However, many opposition MPs echoed sentiments brought to light in recent polls: that there is little public trust in this government, saying that the only way to restore trust in parliament is to dissolve it immediately, and hold new elections as soon as possible.

During these proceedings, protests assembled outside of parliament continued, and could be visibly heard from within the halls of parliament.

It is expected that the opposition – and many other Icelanders – will continue to push for dissolution and new elections.

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