Iceland’s Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson favors center-right coalition ahead of elections

In yesterday’s televised leader debate, Iceland’s Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson and Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, leader of the Centre Party, revisited their past collaboration in government. Benediktsson expressed a preference for forming a civil government made up of center-right parties after the elections next month. When asked if a coalition of the Independence Party, the Social Democratic Alliance, and the Reform Party was a possibility, he dismissed the idea, stating he did not support a government that would pursue such policies.

Benediktsson emphasized the need for a center-right government and did not rule out working with Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, leader of the Reform Party, with whom he has previously cooperated. The debate highlighted past governance from 2013 to 2016, during which Sigmundur recalled their joint efforts to reduce taxes, increase purchasing power, and alleviate public benefit cuts, referring to specific housing policies and financial initiatives.

As the election approaches, recent polls suggest that forming a stable government may be challenging, and there is a low likelihood of a two-party coalition. However, a three-party government comprising the Independence Party, the Centre Party, and the Reform Party might be feasible, as they are currently projected to secure the minimum majority in the upcoming elections with a total of 32 seats out of 63 in Parliament.

With both leaders utilizing the debate to appeal to potential coalition partners, the political landscape is shaping up to be complex as the elections draw near.