Four Icelandic ministers cast no votes this autumn

Four ministers in Iceland’s government have not cast a vote in parliament so far this autumn, according to mbl.is, citing the legislature’s voting records.

The ministers are Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir and Industry Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson. The records list the three ministers from Viðreisn as absent from every vote. Frostadóttir was marked absent for 87 per cent of votes and recorded as having notified her absence for the other 13 per cent.

The records distinguish between an MP marked absent, meaning they did not attend the vote without notifying parliament, and a recorded absence, which means parliament’s office was informed.

Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, leader of the opposition Centre Party, was also marked absent from every vote. Other ministers were absent from most votes: Logi Már Einarsson from 91.3 per cent, Health Minister Alma Möller from 87 per cent and Education Minister Inga Sæland from 78.3 per cent.

Among opposition MPs, Ingibjörg Isaksen of the Progressive Party and Bergþór Ólason of the Centre Party were each marked absent from 82.6 per cent of votes.

The article cites the law on parliamentary procedure, which requires MPs, including ministers, to attend parliamentary sessions unless necessity prevents them. MPs must notify the speaker of an absence as soon as possible, and are required to attend and take part in votes unless they have a lawful excuse or permission to be away.