Political turmoil erupts as People’s Party unveils new leadership in Reykjavík and South Reykjavík

Political turmoil is brewing within the People’s Party as two incumbent members of parliament will not retain their positions on the party’s list for the upcoming elections. Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson, chairman of the VR union, will now lead the party’s list in Reykjavík, while Inga Sæland, the party’s chairman, will lead in South Reykjavík.

The party has undergone significant changes, including the removal of sitting MPs Tómas A. Tómasson and Jakob Frímann Magnússon from their previous leadership roles. Tómas revealed that he was informed he would not be on the list again during a call yesterday, expressing it was an honor to have served alongside Inga Sæland.

The revelation of candidate lists is accelerating as announcements flood in, with clarity expected this week. Following notable shifts within the Independence Party, its top positions in Reykjavík are anticipated to remain stable compared to previous elections.

Brynjar Níelsson joins the party list and is likely to secure the third position, similar to 2021, though he did not win a seat that year. Current polls suggest he may face challenges again. The People’s Party’s candidate list unveiling is scheduled for Thursday.

Significant shifts are also happening within the Left-Green Movement, with a majority of MPs who took office after the last elections choosing not to continue. Five out of eight MPs, including prominent figures like Katrín Jakobsdóttir, have announced their exit. Meanwhile, Eva Dögg Davíðsdóttir has stepped in for Katrín but has yet to declare her candidacy for the list.

In the Social Democratic Alliance, Alma Möller is positioned for the top seat in the Southwest constituency, followed by Guðmundur Ari Sigurjónsson and Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir.