Ten MPs announce they will not seek re-election in upcoming Icelandic parliamentary elections

In the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iceland, ten sitting MPs have announced they will not seek re-election. Among those stepping down are Birgir Ármannsson, Oddný Harðardóttir, and Steinunn Þóra Árnadóttir. Additionally, four independent lawmakers will also not run.

Birgir Ármannsson, the President of the Parliament and a member of the Independence Party since 2003, will not be seeking a new term. He currently holds a prominent position on the party’s candidate list in the Southern Reykjavik constituency.

Jódís Skúladóttir from the Left-Green Movement has decided to leave politics after failing to secure the party’s lead candidate position in the Northeast constituency. She noted in a Facebook post that rejection by her political party twice in the same month likely indicates higher public demand for her than within the party.

Berglind Ósk Guðmundsdóttir, another MP from the Independence Party, will not continue after being left off the party’s candidate list. She has served since 2021.

Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir, also of the Left-Green Movement, and Líneik Anna Sævarsdóttir from the Progressive Party, both confirmed they will not seek re-election. Oddný Harðardóttir, a long-standing MP since 2009 and former Minister of Finance, will also step away from her role.

Óli Björn Kárason from the Independence Party and Arndís Anna Kristínardóttir Gunnarsdóttir from the Pirates Party are among others who will not be returning to parliament. Additionally, several MPs have resigned from their parties, further reshaping the political landscape ahead of the elections.