althing

Althing, or Alþingi in Icelandic, is the national parliament of Iceland. Founded in 930 CE at Þingvellir (Thingvellir), it is one of the oldest functioning parliaments in the world and has served as a general assembly for lawmaking, dispute resolution, and governance.

In its medieval form, the assembly brought together goðar (chieftains) and representatives of farmers to enact laws and settle disputes. A lawspeaker (lögsögumaður) recited the laws, while the assembly administered justice and issued legal codes. It met annually at þingvellir during the warm months.

With the Old Covenant of 1262–1264, Iceland came under Norwegian and later Danish rule, and the Althing gradually lost authority. It was dissolved in 1800 by royal decree. The institution was revived in 1845 as a consultative assembly under Danish rule and later gained full legislative powers as Iceland moved toward independence; a dedicated parliament building was constructed in Reykjavík in the late 19th century.

Today, the Alþingi is Iceland's unicameral parliament. It has 63 members elected for four-year terms by proportional representation and meets in Reykjavík at Alþingishúsið. It passes laws, approves the budget, and exercises oversight of the government, electing the speaker (forseti) and organizing parliamentary committees.