Löggjafann

Löggjafann is an Icelandic term that translates to "the legislator" or "the lawmaker." It refers to the body or individual responsible for creating and enacting laws within a given jurisdiction. In Iceland, this role is primarily fulfilled by the Althing, the country's parliament. The Althing is one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the world, with a history stretching back over a thousand years.

The legislative process in Iceland involves the proposal of bills, which are then debated and voted upon by the members of the Althing. If a bill passes both readings and receives royal assent (historically from the monarch, now a formal procedure), it becomes law. The Althing is composed of elected representatives who serve the interests of the Icelandic people. The concept of löggjafann is central to the separation of powers in a democratic system, distinguishing the law-making function from the executive (government) and judicial (courts) branches. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to the abstract principle of legislative authority.