Bjarni Jónsson joins Græningjar, becoming first parliamentarian of new Icelandic party

Bjarni Jónsson, a former member of the Left-Green Movement, has officially joined the newly established party called Græningjar, becoming the first parliamentarian of this emerging political force. Bjarni, who has represented the Left-Greens in the northwest constituency since 2021, recently announced his departure from the party, citing a divergence from its founding principles.

In a statement, Bjarni highlighted his decision to team up with Græningjar, emphasizing the party’s commitment to environmental issues and nature conservation. He stated, “Græningjar are a growing movement with sincere and strong advocates for environmental matters, which are currently lacking representation in Parliament.”

As Græningjar prepares to contest the upcoming national elections on November 30, they aim to participate in every constituency and have received the ballot designation “G.” Bjarni’s involvement marks a significant step for a party striving to present itself as a viable alternative in Iceland’s political landscape.

He expressed concerns about the Left-Green Movement’s deviation from its core values, asserting that many had recognized this shift for some time. In joining Græningjar, he hopes to contribute to their mission of protecting Iceland’s untouched and unique natural environment.

As the political climate evolves in Iceland, the emergence of Græningjar represents a new opportunity for voters who prioritize ecological issues, potentially reshaping the discourse around environmental policy in the country. Bjarni anticipates announcements regarding their candidate list will follow shortly.