Independence Party members step down ahead of Iceland’s parliamentary elections

Four members of the Independence Party in Iceland will not return to parliament following the upcoming elections on November 30, 2024. This decision was made during a meeting of the party’s candidates across all electoral districts, excluding Reykjavík. Notably, Jón Gunnarsson, the Minister of Justice, will not be seeking reelection after serving half a term.

In the Southwest constituency, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir has successfully claimed her seat, defeating Jón Gunnarsson, who opted out of contention for the party’s third position. Similarly, Birgir Þórarinsson and Ásmundur Friðriksson, both of whom have had lengthy tenures and lost their seats to Ingveldur Anna Sigurðardóttir, a nearly thirty-year-old lawyer, will not be returning. While Ásmundur has served in parliament for eleven years, Birgir’s switch to the Independence Party occurred just days after being elected for the Center Party.

In the Northwest constituency, incumbent Teitur Björn Einarsson lost to Björn Bjarki Þorsteinsson, who secured the second position, while Ólafur Adolfsson enters as a new candidate in the lead position. Furthermore, Njáll Trausti Friðbertsson, the former representative for the Northeast constituency, also lost his position to Jens Garðar Helgason, now ranked second in a competitive race.

Additionally, Óli Björn Kárason has already announced he will not seek reelection. The political landscape continues to shift as these developments unfold ahead of the parliamentary elections.