Iceland's Social Democrats Secure Lead in Snap Election

The Democratic Alliance wins the most votes, signaling a shift in governance after the collapse of the ruling coalition.

The Social Democratic Alliance, led by Kristrun Frostadottir, won 20.8% of the vote, securing 15 of the 63 parliamentary seats, more than doubling their 2021 results.
The ruling Independence Party, led by outgoing Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, suffered its worst electoral result, receiving 19.4% of the vote and 14 seats.
The snap election was called after disagreements within the three-party coalition government on issues including immigration, energy policy, and economic challenges.
Key voter concerns included inflation, housing shortages, and healthcare, with less emphasis on immigration despite political debates on the issue.
Coalition negotiations are expected, with the Social Democrats likely to seek alliances with the Liberal Reform Party and potentially other smaller parties.