Criticism mounts against Independence Party in Reykjavik as support hits historic low

A city council representative and the chair of the Young Independence Movement in Reykjavik have criticized the Independence Party for deviating from its core principles, attributing a loss of public support to this shift. Kjartan Magnússon, a council member, expressed in a column that the party’s compromises within the current government coalition have contributed to its declining popularity, which is reportedly at a historic low according to recent polls. In two surveys released this week, there was no significant difference in support between the Independence Party and the Center Party.

Magnússon emphasized that simply mimicking leftist policies will not suffice for the Independence Party in the upcoming election campaign. He specifically mentioned the transportation agreement in the capital region as an example of this approach. Julius Viggó Ólafsson, chair of Heimdall, the youth branch of the Independence Party in Reykjavik, reinforced this sentiment in his own article, noting that the party is not living up to its promises to voters.

“We are failing to meet the commitments made to voters, so it is no surprise they seek alternatives. The party’s platform is being sidelined in pursuit of ‘completing the project,’ whatever that project may entail,” he stated. Both Magnússon and Ólafsson agree that a vacuum has emerged on the political right, which other parties are capitalizing on. The Independence Party is set to address these challenges during its council meeting later today.