stjórnarlið

Stjórnarlið is an Icelandic term that translates to "government faction" or "governing party" in English. It refers to the political parties or groups that form the government of Iceland. When a single party wins a majority of seats in the Althing, the Icelandic parliament, it can form a government on its own. More commonly, however, coalition governments are formed, where two or more parties agree to share power and govern together. The members of these parties who hold positions in the government, such as ministers or members of parliament supporting the government, are collectively referred to as the stjórnarlið.

The composition of the stjórnarlið changes following each parliamentary election, as the results determine which parties have the opportunity to form a government. The term is used in political discourse to distinguish the ruling parties from the opposition parties (andstæðingar). It signifies the group responsible for implementing government policy and leading the country. Understanding the stjórnarlið is crucial for comprehending the political landscape and decision-making processes in Iceland.