Althing opens 158th legislative session

Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, is opening its 158th legislative session today, mbl.is reports. The opening ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. with a service at Dómkirkjan, Reykjavík’s cathedral.

The president of Iceland, the bishop of Iceland, the speaker of Alþingi, cabinet ministers and members of parliament will walk in procession from the parliament building to the cathedral.

Oddur Bjarni Þorkelsson, parish priest in Dalvík, will preach. Sveinn Valgeirsson, the cathedral’s parish priest, will officiate at the altar, while Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir, bishop of Iceland, will deliver the blessing. Cathedral organist Matthías Harðarson will conduct the cathedral chamber choir and play the organ.

After the service, the participants will return to the parliament building, where President Halla Tómasdóttir will formally open the session. The Choir by the Pond, conducted by Gunnar Gunnarsson, will perform during the ceremony.

The two songs, “Hjá lygnri móðu” by Jón Ásgeirsson and “Þitt fyrsta bros” by Gunnar Þórðarson, were written by artists who received honorary payments from Alþingi and who died recently, according to the parliament’s website.

The opening sitting will be adjourned until 3:30 p.m. Members will then draw lots for their seats, and the 2027 budget bill will be distributed.

The prime minister’s policy speech and the parliamentary debate that follows will take place on Wednesday evening, September 9, at 7:40 p.m. The first debate on the 2027 budget bill is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, and Friday, September 11.