Iceland’s New Government Announced

Following the longest parliamentary break in Icelandic history, and negotiations between the Left-Greens, the Independence Party and the Progressive Party which began shortly after the September 25th elections, Iceland’s new government has at last been announced.

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These changes include not only who will be a minister, but also what the ministries even are. Some new ministries have been created. The Left-Greens will continue to have three ministries, and the Independence Party will continue to have five, but the Progressive Party will now have four ministries under their control.

This is most likely due to the strong showing the Progressives made on election night; while the Left-Greens had lost three seats since the 2017 elections and the Independence Party held their own, the Progressives added five seats to their ranks.

As such, the ministerial composition is now the following, with VG (Left-Greens), D (Independence Party) and B (Progressive Party) indicating party affiliation, as per their official party symbols:

Prime Minister: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (VG)
Minister of Finance: Bjarni Benediktsson (D)
Minister of Infrastructure: Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson (B)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir (D)
Minister of Health: Willum Þór Þórsson (B)
Minister of Social and Job Market Affairs: Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson (VG)
Minister of Food, Fishing and Agriculture: Svandís Svavarsdóttir (VG)
Minister of Justice: Jón Gunnarson (D) for half the term, followed by Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir (D)
Minister of Schools and Children’s Affairs: Ásmundur Einar Daðason (B)
Minister of Business and Culture: Lilja Alfreðsdóttir (B)
Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate Affairs: Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson (D)
Minister of Innovation, Industry and Universities: Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir (D)

As can be seen, most of these ministers were also ministers during the previous term, but only Katrín and Bjarni retained their original positions. Willum, Jón and Guðrún are completely new to ministerial positions.

A large part of the delay was due to the government deciding not to announce a new government until the committee investigating the Northwest District ballot counting scandal reached a conclusion. Ultimately, the majority of the investigating committee decided to let the results of the recount held there to stand as valid. This cleared the way for the new government to be announced.