Alþingiskosningar

Alþingiskosningar are the parliamentary elections held in Iceland to elect members of the Althing, the oldest extant parliament in the world. These elections determine the composition of the Icelandic legislature and, consequently, the formation of the government. The Althing is a unicameral parliament consisting of 63 members.

Elections are typically held every four years, though early elections can be called under certain circumstances. The electoral system in Iceland is a form of proportional representation, using a modified d'Hondt method within multi-member constituencies. Voters cast a ballot for a political party, and seats are allocated based on the national vote share, with adjustments made to account for regional results.

Iceland is divided into six electoral districts for the purpose of these elections. Each district elects a certain number of representatives. To ensure proportionality, a number of compensatory seats are allocated to parties that have gained fewer seats than their national vote share would suggest.

The right to vote is granted to Icelandic citizens who have reached the age of 18 and are legally registered in Iceland. Candidacy is open to citizens who are eligible to vote and have reached the age of 21. The election process is managed by the National Electoral Commission of Iceland, which oversees the organization and conduct of the vote. The results of the Alþingiskosningar are crucial for the political landscape of Iceland, shaping policy and governance for the next legislative period.

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