Althingi

Alþingi, also written Althingi, is the national parliament of Iceland. It is one of the oldest surviving parliamentary institutions in the world, founded in 930 CE at Þingvellir as a general assembly of chieftains and free men to create laws, settle disputes, and oversee the administration of the commonwealth. The assembly met annually and exercised legislative and judicial functions, with the Law Rock (Lögberg) serving as the ceremonial place where laws were proclaimed by the law speaker (lögsögumaður).

After Iceland came under Danish rule, the assembly ceased for a period and was restored in 1845 in Reykjavik. The modern Althingi sits in the Parliament House (Alþingishúsið) in Reykjavik, established as the legislature’s seat, with its current building largely completed in the late 19th century.

Today, Althingi is a unicameral legislature with 63 members elected for four-year terms by proportional representation in multi-member constituencies. It is responsible for enacting laws, approving the budget, and exercising oversight of the government. Members are elected by political parties; the Speaker of Althingi presides over sessions and is elected by the MPs. The President of Iceland serves as head of state with largely ceremonial duties, while the Prime Minister and cabinet are drawn from the party or coalition with majority support in Althingi.