meginflokka

Meginflokka is an Icelandic term used in political science to describe the dominant faction or bloc within a legislative body or political organization. The word combines megin, meaning power or principal, with flokkur, meaning party or group, yielding “main bloc” or “major faction.”

Usage of the term typically refers to the grouping that holds the most influence in a parliament, often the governing coalition in the current legislature or the principal opposition bloc. It can apply to factions within a single party (intra-party) or to a coalition of several parties (inter-party) that commands a majority of seats or exerts significant influence over policy and agenda.

Characteristics commonly associated with a meginflokka include policy cohesion, centralized leadership, and disciplined voting behavior aimed at advancing shared goals. The power of a meginflokka depends on internal unity, strategic coordination, and the ability to sustain support in votes of confidence, budgets, and key legislative initiatives.

Scope and interpretation: Analysts use the concept to describe power dynamics rather than individual personalities, making it a descriptive tool for understanding political momentum. It is used in both Icelandic discourse and comparative Nordic politics to compare major blocs across elections and legislatures.

See also: political bloc, majority coalition, faction, coalition government.