alþingi

Alþingi, or the Althing, is the national parliament of Iceland. It traces its origins to the general assembly established in 930 at Þingvellir, where law-speakers and local chieftains met to legislate, settle disputes, and oversee public matters. The historic assembly met at Þingvellir for many centuries, but ceased to meet in the early 19th century and was reestablished in Reykjavík in 1845 as a modern legislative body under Danish rule. The 1874 constitution granted Icelandic self-government, and the body gradually gained broader powers. Iceland became a sovereign state in 1918 and, in 1944, established a republic, with Alþingi as the supreme legislative authority.

Today, Alþingi consists of 63 members elected for four-year terms through proportional representation. It debates and passes laws, approves the state budget, and exercises oversight of the government. The Prime Minister and cabinet are responsible to Alþingi, which can require resignations or pass motions of no confidence. The parliament operates through committees that scrutinize policy areas such as the economy, welfare, and constitutional affairs.

The Alþingishúsið, the Parliament House in Reykjavík, serves as the principal venue for plenary sessions and is situated on Austurvöllur near the National Cathedral. The Althing’s long-running legacy and its role in shaping Icelandic democracy remain central to the country’s constitutional and political development.