Politics New elections in Iceland on November 30

Following the break-up of the governing coalition in Iceland, the country is expected to elect a new parliament on November 30. President Halla Tómasdóttir accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, as reported by Icelandic broadcaster RUV. There will be a caretaker administration until a new government is formed.

The previous government was a coalition of the liberal-conservative Independence Party, the Progress Party and the Left-Green Movement. It was initially uncertain whether the Left-Green Movement would be involved in a transitional government.

According to Benediktsson, differences of opinion on asylum seekers and energy issues were among the reasons for the break-up of the government.

Parliamentary elections on the North Atlantic island, which has a population of just under 390,000, were not due to be held until late summer.

SDA