Icelanders vote in early parliamentary elections after coalition collapse

REYKJAVIK – Icelanders are voting on Saturday in early parliamentary elections following the October collapse of the left-right coalition government.

Polling stations will be open from 09:00 (09:00 GMT) to 22:00. However, heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected, raising concerns that voters in the eastern and northern regions of the island may struggle to reach the polls.

Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson announced in mid-October the government’s resignation, which was formed by his conservative Independence Party, the Left-Green Movement, and the Progressive Party (centre-right), due to growing divisions over issues ranging from foreign policy to asylum seekers and energy policy.

Disagreements over migrants and asylum seekers ultimately led to the coalition’s collapse. “It is better for the government to have a unified vision,” said the resigning prime minister.