Independence Party

Independence Party Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn
Chairperson	Bjarni Benediktsson
Vice chairperson	Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir
Founded	25 May 1929
Headquarters	Háaleitisbraut 1 105 Reykjavík
Ideology	Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Classical liberalism, Euroscepticism
International affiliation	International Democrat Union
European affiliation	None
Official colours	Blue
Seats in the Althing
Website
http://www.xd.is/
Politics of Iceland Political parties Elections

Iceland

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The Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) is a centre-right political party in Iceland. It was formed in 1929 through a merger of the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The party supports Icelandic membership of NATO but is opposed to the idea of joining the European Union. The party's position on EU membership was confirmed at its national congress on March 2009. ^[1]

The Chairman of the Independence Party is Bjarni Benediktsson. He was elected at the party's national congress in March 2009. The Vice-Chairman of the party is Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, former Minister of Education, Science and Culture.

Leaders

All former chairmen of the party have held the office of the Prime Minister of Iceland: Ólafur Thors, Bjarni Benediktsson, Jóhann Hafstein, Geir Hallgrímsson, Þorsteinn Pálsson, Davíð Oddsson and Geir H. Haarde. Jón Þorláksson, the first chairman of the Independence party was Prime Minister for the Conservative party prior to the foundation of the Independence party. Gunnar Thoroddsen, who was the party's vice chairman 1974-1981, was Iceland's PM from 1980 to 1983, but the Independence Party did not officially support his government, although some MP's in the party did.

2007 elections

The Independence Party won the 2007 elections, increasing their seat tally in the Althing by 3. It formed a new coalition government under Haarde with the Social Democratic Alliance, after their current coalition partner, the Progressive Party, lost heavily in the elections.

2009 elections

In the 2009 elections, the Independence Party dropped from 25 to 16 seats in the Althing, becoming Iceland's second-largest party following the Social Democratic Alliance (which gained two seats, to 20.)

Notes and references

External links

• Official website (English)
• The The National Youth Organisation of the Independence Party, named Samband ungra sjálfstæðismanna or SUS in Icelandic, is one of the oldest political youth movements in Iceland. Its chairman is Ólafur Örn Nielsen.
• About the Independence Party

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