Aukahlutverk

Aukahlutverk is an Icelandic term meaning "additional role" or "extra duty" and is used primarily in the context of the Parliament of Iceland (Alþingi). It refers to responsibilities assigned to a member of the Alþingi that are outside of their primary duties as a legislator. The concept encompasses a range of functions, including serving as a deputy minister, chairing parliamentary committees, representing Iceland in international parliamentary assemblies, or carrying out specific oversight tasks.

The legal foundation for aukahlutverk is found in the Icelandic Parliamentary Law, which allows the Parliament to assign secondary responsibilities to its members to enhance legislative effectiveness and foster cooperation between the legislative and executive branches. Members elected to aukahlutverk are required to report on their activities and provide assessments of how their additional duties contribute to the Parliament’s overall mission. The system is intended to promote transparency and accountability by ensuring that the increased workload of members is formally recognized and monitored.

Common examples of aukahlutverk include deputy ministers, who support a minister in a particular department without being a full minister themselves, and committee chairs, who lead legislative discussions on specific policy areas. Internationally, Icelandic MPs may also serve as observers or delegates in bodies such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

By institutionalizing secondary responsibilities, aukahlutverk helps to distribute workload among members, facilitates the sharing of expertise across committees, and strengthens the link between legislation and implementation. Its use remains integral to the functioning of the Alþingi and plays a vital role in Iceland’s democratic governance.