Pirate Party Surge Falls Short as Icelanders Back Stability
- Independence Party is winner with 29 percent of votes cast
- Outgoing coalition loses majority as Progressives slump
Nielsen: Often Takes Crisis to Get Big Policy Reaction
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The ruling Independence Party emerged as the winner in Iceland’s snap election, surviving a surge by the populist Pirate Party in a vote for stability as the nation emerges from eight years of economic turmoil.
With all the votes counted, the Independence Party rose to 29 percent from 26.7 percent in 2013, while their outgoing coalition partner, the Progressive Party, slumped to 11.5 percent from 24.4 percent. The Pirates jumped to 14.5 percent from 5.1 percent in 2013 but fell well short of pre-election polling. New parties such as Revival also captured a significant number of votes. Bad weather reduced turnout to 79.2 percent from 81.9 percent in 2013.