View source for Althing

{{short description|Supreme legislature of Iceland}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox legislature
| name               = Icelandic Parliament
| native_name        = {{Nobold|{{lang|is|Alþingi Íslendinga}}}}
| transcription_name =
| legislature        = [[List of members of the Althing, 2024–2028|Members]]
| foundation         = {{ubl|{{start date and age|930}}|{{end date|1800}} (defunct)|{{start date and age|1844}} (restored)}}
| new_session        = 
| coa_pic            = Althing Logo.svg
| coa_res            = 250
| house_type         = [[Unicameralism|Unicameral]]
| leader1_type       = [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Iceland|Speaker]]
| leader1            = [[Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir]]
| party1             = [[Social Democratic Alliance]]
| election1          = 4 February 2025
| members            = 63
| structure1         = Iceland Althing 2024.svg
| structure1_res     = 250px
| political_groups1  = 
'''[[Cabinet of Kristrún Frostadóttir|Government]] (36)'''
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}}|border=darkgray}} [[Social Democratic Alliance]] (15)}}
:{{Color box|{{party color|Viðreisn}}|border=darkgray}} [[Viðreisn]] (11)
:{{Color box|{{party color|People's Party (Iceland)}}|border=darkgray}} [[People's Party (Iceland)|People's Party]] (10)
'''Opposition (27)'''
:{{Color box|{{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independence Party (Iceland)|Independence Party]] (14)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Centre Party (Iceland)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Centre Party (Iceland)|Centre Party]] (8)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland, 2021)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Progressive Party (Iceland)|Progressive Party]] (5)
| voting_system1 = [[Open list]] [[Party-list proportional representation|proportional representation]] with a 5% [[electoral threshold]]
| last_election1 = [[2024 Icelandic parliamentary election|30 November 2024]]
| next_election1 = [[Next Icelandic parliamentary election|By 30 November 2028]]
| session_room   = Althingi.png
| session_res    = 
| session_alt    = Parliament House in Reykjavík
| meeting_place  = {{Lang|is|[[Alþingishúsið]]|italic=no}}, [[Reykjavík]]
| website        = {{URL|https://www.althingi.is}}
}}
{{Politics of Iceland}}

The {{lang|is|'''Alþingi'''|i=no}} ({{IPA|is|ˈalˌθiɲcɪ|lang}}; {{langnf|is||general meeting}}), anglicised as '''Althingi''' or '''Althing''', is the [[Parliamentary sovereignty|supreme]] [[Parliament|national parliament]] of [[Iceland]]. It is the oldest surviving parliament in the world.<ref name="eu-oldest">{{cite web|title=A short history of Alþingi – the oldest parliament in the world|url=http://europa.eu/youth/is/article/61/4215_en|website=europa.eu|publisher=The European Union|access-date=7 April 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082348/http://europa.eu/youth/is/article/61/4215_en|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="cnbc-oldest">{{cite news|last1=Meredith|first1=Sam|title=World's oldest parliament poised for radical Pirates to takeover|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/28/worlds-oldest-parliament-poised-for-radical-pirates-to-takeover.html|access-date=7 April 2017|work=CNBC|date=28 October 2016}}</ref>{{efn|[[Tynwald]] claims to be the oldest continuous surviving parliament,<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.tynwald.org.im/about/Pages/default.aspx |title=The High Court of Tynwald |publisher=[[Tynwald|The High Court of Tynwald]] (www.tynwald.org.im) |access-date=14 November 2011 }}</ref> as the Althing was inactive from 1800 to 1844.}} The Althing was founded in 930 at {{lang|is|[[Þingvellir]]}} ('[[Thing (assembly)|thing]] fields' or 'assembly fields'), about {{convert|45|km}} east of what later became the country's capital, [[Reykjavík]]. After Iceland's union with [[Norway]] in 1262, the Althing lost its legislative power,<ref name="ath"/> which was not restored until 1904 when Iceland gained home rule from [[Denmark]]. For 641 years, the Althing did not serve as the parliament of Iceland; ultimate power rested with the Norwegian, and subsequently, Danish throne.<ref name="ath"/> Even after Iceland's union with Norway in 1262, the Althing still held its sessions at {{lang|is|Þingvellir}} until 1800, when it was discontinued. It was restored in 1844 by royal decree and moved to Reykjavík.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sigurðardóttir|first1=Heiða María|last2=Emilsson|first2=Páll Emil|title=Hvenær var Alþingi stofnað?|url=https://www.visindavefur.is/svar.php?id=5268|website=visindavefur.is|publisher=Vísindavefurinn|access-date=7 April 2017}}</ref> The restored [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] legislature first came together in 1845 and after 1874 operated in [[Bicameralism|two chambers]] with an additional [[Tricameralism|third chamber]] taking on a greater role as the decades passed until 1991 when Althing became once again unicameral.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://althingi.is/tilkynningar/aldarfjordungur-fra-thvi-ad-deildaskipting-var-aflogd|title = Aldarfjórðungur frá því að deildaskipting var aflögð}}</ref> The present parliament building, the {{lang|is|[[Alþingishúsið|Alþingishús]]}}, was built in 1881, made of hewn Icelandic stone.<ref>{{cite news|title=ALÞINGISHÚSIÐ – ÁGRIP AF BYGGINGARSÖGU ÞESS|url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3278359|access-date=7 April 2017|work=Morgunblaðið|date=24 April 1949}}</ref> The unicameral parliament has 63 members, and is elected every four years based on [[party-list proportional representation]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Álvarez-Rivera|first1=Manuel|title=Election Resources on the Internet: Elections to the Icelandic Althing (Parliament)|url=http://www.electionresources.org/is/|website=electionresources.org|publisher=Election Resources|access-date=10 April 2017}}</ref> The current speaker of the Althing, since February 2025, is [[Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir]].

The [[constitution of Iceland]] provides for six electoral [[Constituencies of Iceland|constituencies]] with the possibility of an increase to seven. The constituency boundaries and the number of seats allocated to each constituency are fixed by legislation. No constituency can be represented by fewer than six seats. Furthermore, each party with more than 5% of the national vote is allocated seats based on its [[Proportional representation|proportion]] of the national vote in order that the number of members in parliament for each political party should be more or less proportional to its overall electoral support. If the number of voters represented by each member of the Althing in one constituency would be less than half of the comparable ratio in another constituency, the [[National Electoral Commission of Iceland|Icelandic National Electoral Commission]] is tasked with altering the allocation of seats to reduce that difference.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stjórnarskipunarlög um breytingu á stjórnarskrá lýðveldisins Íslands, nr. 33/1944, með síðari breytingum.|url=http://www.althingi.is/altext/stjt/1999.077.html|website=althingi.is|publisher=Alþingi Íslands|access-date=7 April 2017}}</ref>

== Historical background ==

=== Foundation: {{circa}} 930–1262 ===
[[File:Law speaker.jpg|upright=1.45|left|thumb|19th-century rendering of the [[Lögberg|Law Rock]] in Þingvellir.]]

The Althing claims to be the longest-running parliament in the world.<ref name="eu-oldest"/><ref name="cnbc-oldest"/> Its establishment as an outdoor assembly or ''[[thing (assembly)|thing]]'' held on the plains of {{lang|is|[[Þingvellir]]|italic=no}} ('Thing Fields' or 'Assembly Fields') from about 930, laid the foundation for an independent national existence in Iceland. To begin with, the Althing was a general assembly of the [[Icelandic Commonwealth]], where the country's most powerful leaders ({{lang|is|[[goði|goðar]]}}) met to decide on legislation and dispense [[justice]]. All free men could attend the assemblies, which were usually the main social event of the year and drew large crowds of farmers and their families, parties involved in legal disputes, traders, craftsmen, storytellers, and travellers. Those attending the assembly lived in temporary camps ({{lang|is|búðir}}) during the session. The centre of the gathering was the {{lang|is|[[Lögberg]]|italic=no}}, or Law Rock, a rocky outcrop on which the [[Lawspeaker]] ({{lang|is|lögsögumaður}}) took his seat as the presiding official of the assembly.<ref name="ath">{{cite web |title=Alþingi |url=http://www.althingi.is/pdf/enska.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031005063806/http://www.althingi.is/pdf/enska.pdf |archive-date=2003-10-05 |url-status=live |publisher=Althing |access-date=7 April 2017 }}</ref> His responsibilities included reciting aloud the laws in effect at the time. It was his duty to proclaim the procedural law of the Althing to those attending the assembly each year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lögberg – the law rock|url=http://www.thingvellir.is/history/the-law-rock.aspx |publisher=Þjóðgarðurinn á Þingvöllum |access-date=7 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320202306/http://www.thingvellir.is/history/the-law-rock.aspx |archive-date=20 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ''Gulathing Law'' was adopted in 930 at the first Althing, introduced by {{lang|is|[[Úlfljótr]]|italic=no}}, who had spent three years in Norway studying their laws. The Icelandic laws conferred a privileged status on the Danes, Swedes and Norwegians.<ref name=orfield>{{cite book |last1=Orfield |first1=Lester B. |title=The Growth of Scandinavian Law |date=1953 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=133bkwvienYC |isbn=9781584771807 }}</ref>

According to {{lang|is|[[Njáls saga]]}}, the Althing declared Christianity as the official religion in 1000.<ref name=orfield /> By the summer of 1000, the leaders of Iceland had agreed that prosecuting close relatives for blaspheming the old gods was obligatory. Iceland was in the midst of unrest from the [[Christianization of Iceland|spread of Christianity]] that was introduced by travelers and missionaries sent by the Norwegian king [[Olaf Tryggvason]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jochens |first1=Jenny |title=Women in Old Norse Society |url=https://archive.org/details/womenoldnorsesoc00joch_495 |url-access=limited |date=1998 |publisher=Cornell University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/womenoldnorsesoc00joch_495/page/n34 18]|isbn=9780801485206 }}</ref> The outbreak of warfare in Denmark and Norway prompted {{lang|is|[[Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi]]|italic=no}}, a pagan and chieftain of the Althing, to propose "one law and one religion" to rule over the whole of Iceland, making [[baptism]] and conversion to Christianity required by law.<ref name=orfield />

==== {{lang|is|Lögrétta|italic=no}} ====
{{Main|Court of Legislature (Iceland)}}
Public addresses on matters of importance were delivered at the Law Rock and there the assembly was called to order and [[dissolution of parliament|dissolved]]. The {{lang|is|Lögrétta|italic=no}}, the legislative section of the assembly, was its most powerful institution. It comprised the 39 district Chieftains ([[Plural|pl.]] {{lang|is|[[goðar]]}}) plus nine additional members and the Lawspeaker. As the legislative section of the Althing, the {{lang|is|Lögrétta|italic=no}} took a stand on legal conflicts, adopted new laws and granted exemptions to existing laws. The Althing of old also performed a [[judicial]] function and heard legal disputes in addition to the spring assemblies held in each district. After the country had been divided into four-quarters around 965, a court of 36 judges ({{lang|is|fjórðungsdómur}}) was established for each of them at the Althing. Another court ({{lang|is|fimmtardómur}}) was established early in the 11th century. It served as a [[supreme court]] of sorts, and assumed the function of hearing cases left unsettled by the other courts. It comprised 48 judges appointed by the {{lang|is|goðar}} of {{lang|is|Lögrétta|italic=no}}.<ref name="ath"/>

=== Monarchy: 1262–1800 ===
When the [[Icelanders]] submitted to the authority of the [[Haakon IV|Norwegian king]] under the terms of the "[[Old Covenant (Iceland)|Old Covenant]]" ({{lang|is|Gamli sáttmáli}}) in 1262, the function of the Althing changed. The organization of the [[Icelandic Commonwealth|Commonwealth]] came to an end and the rule of the country by {{lang|is|goðar}} ceased. Executive power now rested with the king and his officials, the Royal Commissioners ({{lang|is|hirðstjórar}}) and District Commissioners ({{lang|is|sýslumenn}}). As before, the {{lang|is|Lögrétta|italic=no}}, now comprising 36 members, continued to be its principal institution and shared formal legislative power with the king. Laws adopted by the {{lang|is|Lögrétta|italic=no}} were subject to [[royal assent]] and, conversely, if the king initiated legislation, the Althing had to give its consent. The Lawspeaker was replaced by two legal administrators, called {{lang|is|lögmenn}}.

Towards the end of the 14th century, royal succession brought both [[Norway]] and Iceland under the control of the [[Danish monarchy]]. With the introduction of [[absolute monarchy]] in Denmark, the Icelanders relinquished their autonomy to the Crown, including the right to initiate and consent to legislation. After that, the Althing served almost exclusively as a court of law until the year 1800.<ref name="ath"/>

=== High Court: 1800–1845 ===
The Althing was disbanded by royal [[decree]] in 1800. A new High Court, established by this same decree and located in Reykjavík, took over the functions of Lögrétta. The three appointed judges first convened in Hólavallarskóli on 10 August 1801. The High Court was to hold regular sessions and function as the court of highest instance in the country. It operated until 1920, when the [[Supreme Court of Iceland]] was established.<ref name="ath"/>

=== Consultative assembly: 1845–1874 ===
A royal decree providing for the establishment of a new Althing was issued on 8 March 1843. Elections were held the following year and the assembly finally met on 1 July 1845 in Reykjavík. Some Icelandic nationalists (the Fjölnir group) did not want Reykjavík as the location for the newly established Althing due to the perception that the city was too influenced by Danes. Jón Sigurðsson claimed that the situating of the Althing in Reykjavík would help make the city Icelandic.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The History of Iceland|url = https://archive.org/details/historyiceland00karl|url-access = limited|last = Karlsson|first = Gunnar|year = 2000|pages = [https://archive.org/details/historyiceland00karl/page/n220 206]}}</ref><ref name="ath"/>

It comprised 26 members sitting in a single chamber. One member was elected in each of 20 electoral districts and six "royally nominated Members" were appointed by the king. [[Suffrage]] was, following the Danish model, limited to males of substantial means and at least 25 years of age, which to begin with meant only about 5% of the population. A regular session lasted four weeks and could be extended if necessary. During this period, the Althing acted merely as a consultative body for the Crown. It examined proposed legislation and individual members could raise questions for discussion. Draft legislation submitted by the government was given two readings, an introductory one and a final one. Proposals which were adopted were called [[petition]]s. The new Althing made a number of improvements to legislation and to the administration of the country.<ref name="ath"/>

=== Legislative assembly from 1874 ===
[[File:Reykjavik althing.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Parliament House (right), at [[Austurvöllur]] in [[Reykjavík]], built 1880–1881.]]
The [[Constitution of Iceland|Constitution of 1874]] granted to the Althing joint legislative power with the Crown in matters of exclusive Icelandic concern. At the same time, the National [[Treasury]] acquired powers of taxation and [[Government spending|financial allocation]]. The king retained the right to veto legislation and often, on the advice of his ministers, refused to consent to legislation adopted by the Althing. The number of members of the Althing was increased to 36, 30 of them elected in general elections in eight single-member [[constituencies]] and 11 double-member constituencies, the other six appointed by the Crown as before. The Althing was now divided into an upper chamber, known as the ''Efri deild'' and a lower chamber, known as the ''Neðri deild''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AgIkAQAAIAAJ |title=Clements' Encyclopedia of World Governments |volume=8 |publisher= John Clements Political Research, Inc. |date= 1989 |page=162 }}</ref> Six elected members and the six appointed ones sat in the [[upper chamber]], which meant that the latter could prevent legislation from being passed by acting as a bloc. Twenty-four elected [[Legislator|representatives]] sat in the [[lower chamber]]. From 1874 until 1915 ad hoc committees were appointed. After 1915 seven standing committees were elected by each of the chambers. Regular sessions of the Althing convened every other year. A supplementary session was first held in 1886, and these became more frequent in the 20th century. The Althing met from 1881 in the newly built Parliament House. The [[Governor-General]] (''landshöfðingi'') was the highest representative of the government in Iceland and was responsible to the Advisor for Iceland (''Íslandsráðgjafi'') in [[Copenhagen]].<ref name="ath"/>

=== Home rule ===
A [[constitutional amendment]], confirmed on 3 October 1903, granted the Icelanders [[home rule]] and [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary government]]. [[Hannes Hafstein]] was appointed as the Icelandic minister on 1 February 1904 who was answerable to parliament. The minister had to have the support of the majority of members of the Althing; in the case of a vote of [[no confidence]], he would have to step down. Under the constitutional amendment of 1903, the number of members was increased by four, to a total of forty. Elections to the Althing had traditionally been public – voters declared aloud which of the candidates they supported. In 1908, the secret [[ballot]] was adopted, with ballot papers on which the names of the candidates were printed. A single election day for the entire country was at the same time made mandatory. When the Constitution was amended in 1915, the royally nominated members of the Althing were replaced by six national representatives elected by proportional representation for the entire country.<ref name="ath"/>

=== Personal union ===
The [[Danish–Icelandic Act of Union|Act of Union]] (which took effect on 1 December 1918) made Iceland a [[Sovereign state|state]] in [[personal union]] with the [[Denmark|Kingdom of Denmark]]. It was set to expire after 25 years, when either state could choose to leave the union. The Althing was granted unrestricted legislative power. In 1920, the number of members of the Althing was increased to 42. Since 1945, the Althing has customarily assembled in the autumn. With the [[Constitutional Act of 1934]], the number of members was increased by seven and the system of national representatives abolished in favour of one providing for eleven seats used to equalize discrepancies between the parties' [[Direct election|popular vote]] and the number of seats they received in the Althing, raising the number of members of the Althing to 49. In 1934, the voting age was also lowered to 21. Further changes in 1942 provided for an additional three members and introduced proportional representation in the double-member constituencies. The constituencies were then 28 in number: 21 single-member constituencies; six double-member constituencies; and Reykjavík, which elected eight members. With the additional eleven equalization seats, the total number of members was thus 52.<ref name="ath"/>

=== Republic ===
The union with Iceland was effectively made inoperable when the Kingdom of [[Denmark in World War II|Denmark was occupied by Germany]] on 9 April 1940. On the following day, the Althing passed two [[Resolution (law)|resolutions]], investing the Icelandic cabinet with the power of [[Head of State]] and declaring that Iceland would accept full responsibility for both [[foreign policy]] and coastal surveillance. A year later, the Althing adopted a law creating the position of Regent to represent the Crown. This position continued until the Act of Union was repealed, and the Republic of Iceland established, at a session of the Althing held at [[Þingvellir]] on 17 June 1944.

In 1959, the system of electoral districts was changed completely. The country was divided into eight constituencies with proportional representation in each, in addition to the previous eleven equalization seats. The total number of members elected was 60. In 1968, the Althing approved the lowering of the [[voting age]] to 20 years. A further amendment to the Constitution in 1984 increased the number of members to 63 and reduced the voting age to 18 years. Further major changes were introduced in the Althing in May 1991: the two chambers, by that point having identical election methods and identical membership, were merged into a single chamber, thus introducing [[unicameralism]]. By a constitutional amendment of June 1999, implemented in May 2003, the constituency system was again changed. The number of constituencies was cut from eight to six; constituency boundaries were to be fixed by law. There are currently twelve standing committees.<ref name="ath"/>

=== Recent and future elections ===
A full term of parliament is four years but a [[snap election]] may be called earlier.
*[[2013 Icelandic parliamentary election]]
*[[2016 Icelandic parliamentary election]]
*[[2017 Icelandic parliamentary election]]
*[[2021 Icelandic parliamentary election]]
*[[2024 Icelandic parliamentary election]]

==5 percent threshold==
Is is a common misunderstanding in Iceland that 5 percent of the popular vote is necessary for political party to get member elected to Alþingi. The truth is that 5 percent is necessary for parties to get [[leveling seat]] in the parliament. <ref>https://www.midjan.is/thad-er-engin-fimm-prosenta-regla-til-ad-kjordaemakjorinn-thingmann/</ref>

==Results of 2024 general election==
{{Election results
|image=[[File:Iceland Althing 2024.svg]]
|party1=[[Social Democratic Alliance]]|votes1=44091|seats1=15|sc1=+9
|party2=[[Independence Party (Iceland)|Independence Party]]|votes2=41143|seats2=14|sc2=–2
|party3=[[Viðreisn]]|votes3=33606|seats3=11|sc3=+6
|party4=[[People's Party (Iceland)|People's Party]]|votes4=29288|seats4=10|sc4=+4
|party5=[[Centre Party (Iceland)|Centre Party]]|votes5=25700|seats5=8|sc5=+5
|party6=[[Progressive Party (Iceland)|Progressive Party]]|color6={{Party color|Progressive Party (Iceland, 2021)}}|votes6=16578|seats6=5|sc6=–8
|party7=[[Socialist Party of Iceland|Socialist Party]]|votes7=8422|seats7=0|sc10=New
|party8=[[Pirate Party (Iceland)|Pirate Party]]|votes8=6411|seats8=0|sc8=–6
|party9=[[Left-Green Movement]]|votes9=4974|seats9=0|sc9=–8
|party10=[[Democratic Party (Iceland)|Democratic Party]]|votes10=2215|seats10=0|party11=[[Responsible Future (Iceland)|Responsible Future]]|votes11=42|seats11=0|sc11=0|invalid=308
|total_sc=0
|electorate=268422
|source=[https://www.mbl.is/frettir/kosningar/ MBL]
|blank=2438|sc7=0}}

{{Bar box
|title=Popular vote
|titlebar=#ddd
|width=600px
|barwidth=600px
|bars=
{{Bar percent|S|{{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}}|20.75}}
{{Bar percent|D|{{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}}|19.36}}
{{Bar percent|C|{{party color|Viðreisn}}|15.82}}
{{Bar percent|F|{{party color|People's Party (Iceland)}}|13.78}}
{{Bar percent|M|{{party color|Centre Party (Iceland)}}|12.10}}
{{Bar percent|B|{{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}}|7.80}}
{{Bar percent|J|{{party color|Socialist Party of Iceland}}|3.96}}
{{Bar percent|P|{{party color|Pirate Party (Iceland)}}|3.02}}
{{Bar percent|V|{{party color|Left-Green Movement}}|2.34}}
{{Bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|1.02}}
}}
{{Bar box
|title=Parliamentary seats
|titlebar=#ddd
|width=600px
|barwidth=600px
|bars=
{{Bar percent|S|{{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}}|23.81}}
{{Bar percent|D|{{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}}|22.22}}
{{Bar percent|C|{{party color|Viðreisn}}|17.46}}
{{Bar percent|F|{{party color|People's Party (Iceland)}}|15.87}}
{{Bar percent|M|{{party color|Centre Party (Iceland)}}|12.70}}
{{Bar percent|B|{{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}}|7.94}}
}}

==Historical composition==
===Republic of Iceland (Since 1944)===
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="border:solid #000000 1px;font-size:95%;"
|-
| colspan="2" |
{| width="100%" style="font-size:90%;"
| width="50" |
|{{legend|{{party color|People's Unity Party – Socialist Party}}|[[People's Unity Party – Socialist Party]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}}|[[People's Alliance (Iceland)|People's Alliance]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}}|[[Social Democratic Party (Iceland)|Social Democratic Party]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Alliance of Social Democrats}}|[[Alliance of Social Democrats]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Left-Green Movement}}|[[Left-Green Movement|VG]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|People's Party (Iceland)}}|[[People's Party (Iceland)|F]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Women's List}}|[[Women's List|KL]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}}|[[Social Democratic Alliance|S]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|National Awakening (Iceland)}}|[[National Awakening (Iceland)|J]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Union of Liberals and Leftists}}|[[Union of Liberals and Leftists]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Bright Future (Iceland)}}|[[Bright Future (Iceland)|A]]}}
|{{legend|#808080|Others}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Citizens' Movement (Iceland)}}|[[Citizens' Movement (Iceland)|Citizens' Movement]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Pirate Party (Iceland)}}|[[Pirate Party (Iceland)|P]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Centre Party (Iceland)}}|[[Centre Party (Iceland)|M]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Viðreisn}}|[[Viðreisn|C]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Liberal Party (Iceland)}}|[[Liberal Party (Iceland)|F]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}}|[[Progressive Party (Iceland)|B]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}}|[[Independence Party (Iceland)|D]]}}
|{{legend|{{party color|Citizens' Party (Iceland, 1987)}}|[[Citizens' Party (Iceland, 1987)|S]]}}
|}
|-
| width="50" | [[1946 Icelandic parliamentary election|1946]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Unity Party – Socialist Party}};                    width: 19.23%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 17.31%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 25.00%"|13
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 38.46%"|20
|}
|-
| [[1949 Icelandic parliamentary election|1949]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Unity Party – Socialist Party}};                    width: 17.31%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 13.46%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 32.69%"|17
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 36.54%"|19
|}
|-
| [[1953 Icelandic parliamentary election|1953]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Unity Party – Socialist Party}};                    width: 13.46%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 11.54%"| 6
| style="background-color: #808080;                                                                   width:  3.85%"| 2
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 30.77%"|16
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 40.38%"|21
|}
|-
| [[1956 Icelandic parliamentary election|1956]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 15.38%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 15.38%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 32.69%"|17
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 36.54%"|19
|}
|-
| [[June 1959 Icelandic parliamentary election|1959.06]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 13.46%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 11.54%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 36.54%"|19
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 38.46%"|20
|}
|-
| [[October 1959 Icelandic parliamentary election|1959.10]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 16.67%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 15.00%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 28.33%"|17
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 40.00%"|24
|}
|-
| [[1963 Icelandic parliamentary election|1963]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 15.00%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 13.33%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 31.67%"|19
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 40.00%"|24
|}
|-
| [[1967 Icelandic parliamentary election|1967]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 16.67%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 15.00%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 30.00%"|18
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 38.33%"|23
|}
|-
| [[1971 Icelandic parliamentary election|1971]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 16.67%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 10.00%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Union of Liberals and Leftists}};                            width:  8.33%"| 5
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 28.33%"|17
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 36.67%"|22
|}
|-
| [[1974 Icelandic parliamentary election|1974]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 18.33%"|11
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width:  8.33%"| 5
| style="background-color: {{party color|Union of Liberals and Leftists}};                            width:  3.33%"| 2
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 28.33%"|17
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 41.67%"|25
|}
|-
| [[1978 Icelandic parliamentary election|1978]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 23.33%"|14
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 23.33%"|14
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 20.00%"|12
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 33.33%"|20
|}
|-
| [[1979 Icelandic parliamentary election|1979]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 18.33%"|11
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 16.67%"|10
| style="background-color: #808080;                                                                   width:  1.67%"| 1
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 28.33%"|17
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 35.00%"|21
|}
|-
| [[1983 Icelandic parliamentary election|1983]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 16.67%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 10.00%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Alliance of Social Democrats}};                              width:  6.67%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Women's List}};                                              width:  5.00%"| 3
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 23.33%"|14
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 38.33%"|23
|}
|-
| [[1987 Icelandic parliamentary election|1987]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 12.70%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 15.87%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Women's List}};                                              width:  9.52%"| 6
| style="background-color: #808080;                                                                   width:  1.59%"| 1
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 19.40%"|13
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 26.87%"|18
| style="background-color: {{party color|Citizens' Party (Iceland, 1987)}};                           width: 11.11%"| 7
|}
|-
| [[1991 Icelandic parliamentary election|1991]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 14.29%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 15.87%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Women's List}};                                              width:  7.94%"| 5
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 19.40%"|13
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 41.27%"|26
|}
|-
| [[1995 Icelandic parliamentary election|1995]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Alliance (Iceland)}};                               width: 14.29%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Party (Iceland)}};                         width: 11.11%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Women's List}};                                              width:  4.76%"| 3
| style="background-color: {{party color|National Awakening (Iceland)}};                              width:  6.35%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 23.81%"|15
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 39.68%"|25
|}
|-
| [[1999 Icelandic parliamentary election|1999]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width:  9.52%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width: 26.98%"|17
| style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (Iceland)}};                                   width:  3.17%"| 2
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 19.05%"|12
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 41.27%"|26
|}
|-
| [[2003 Icelandic parliamentary election|2003]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width:  7.94%"| 5
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width: 31.75%"|20
| style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (Iceland)}};                                   width:  6.35%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 19.05%"|12
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 34.92%"|22
|}
|-
| [[2007 Icelandic parliamentary election|2007]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width: 14.29%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width: 28.57%"|18
| style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (Iceland)}};                                   width:  6.35%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 11.11%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 39.68%"|25
|}
|-
| [[2009 Icelandic parliamentary election|2009]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width: 22.22%"|14
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width: 31.75%"|20
| style="background-color: {{party color|Citizens' Movement (Iceland)}};                              width:  6.35%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 14.29%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 25.40%"|16
|}
|-
| [[2013 Icelandic parliamentary election|2013]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width: 11.11%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width: 14.29%"| 9
| style="background-color: {{party color|Bright Future (Iceland)}};                                   width:  9.52%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Pirate Party (Iceland)}};                                    width:  4.76%"| 3
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 30.16%"|19
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 30.16%"|19
|}
|-
| [[2016 Icelandic parliamentary election|2016]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width: 15.87%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width:  4.76%"| 3
| style="background-color: {{party color|Bright Future (Iceland)}};                                   width:  6.35%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Pirate Party (Iceland)}};                                    width: 15.87%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Viðreisn}};                                                  width: 11.11%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 12.70%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 33.33%"|21
|}
|-
| [[2017 Icelandic parliamentary election|2017]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width: 17.46%"|11
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Party (Iceland)}};                                  width:  6.35%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width: 11.11%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Pirate Party (Iceland)}};                                    width:  9.52%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Centre Party (Iceland)}};                                    width: 11.11%"| 7
| style="background-color: {{party color|Viðreisn}};                                                  width:  6.35%"| 4
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 12.70%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 25.40%"|16
|}
|-
| [[2021 Icelandic parliamentary election|2021]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|Left-Green Movement}};                                       width: 12.70%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Party (Iceland)}};                                  width:  9.52%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width:  9.52%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Pirate Party (Iceland)}};                                    width:  9.52%"| 6
| style="background-color: {{party color|Centre Party (Iceland)}};                                    width:  4.76%"| 3
| style="background-color: {{party color|Viðreisn}};                                                  width:  7.94%"| 5
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width: 20.63%"|13
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 25.40%"|16
|}
|-
| [[2024 Icelandic parliamentary election|2024]]
|
{| style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| style="background-color: {{party color|People's Party (Iceland)}};                                  width: 15.87%"|10
| style="background-color: {{party color|Social Democratic Alliance}};                                width: 23.81%"|15
| style="background-color: {{party color|Centre Party (Iceland)}};                                    width: 12.70%"| 8
| style="background-color: {{party color|Viðreisn}};                                                  width: 17.46%"|11
| style="background-color: {{party color|Progressive Party (Iceland)}};                               width:  7.94%"| 5
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independence Party (Iceland)}};                              width: 22.22%"|14
|}
|}

==Members (1980s–present)==
*[[List of members of the parliament of Iceland, 1983–1987]]
*[[List of members of the parliament of Iceland, 1987–1991]]
*[[List of members of the parliament of Iceland, 1991–1995]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 1995–1999]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 1999–2003]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2003–2007]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2007–2009]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2009–2013]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2013–2016]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2016–2017]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2017–2021]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2021–2024]]
*[[List of members of the Althing, 2024–2028]]

==See also==
*[[Constituencies of Iceland]]
*[[Women in Iceland#Women's suffrage]]
*[[List of parliamentary assemblies of Iceland]]
*[[List of speakers of the Parliament of Iceland]]
*[[List of speakers of the Upper House of the Althing (Iceland)|List of speakers of the Upper House of the Althing]] (until 1991 when the Althing became unicameral)
*[[List of speakers of the Lower House of the Althing]] (until 1991 when the Althing became unicameral)

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline|Althing}}
* [https://www.althingi.is/english Althingi's English website]

{{Iceland topics|state=autocollapse}}
{{Parliaments in Europe}}
{{Legislatures of the Nordic countries}}
{{National unicameral legislatures}}{{Authority control}}
{{coord|64|08|48|N|21|56|25|W|display=title}}

[[Category:Althing| ]]
[[Category:930 establishments]]
[[Category:10th-century establishments in Iceland]]
[[Category:Government of Iceland]]
[[Category:Parliaments by country|Iceland]]
[[Category:Thing (assembly)]]
[[Category:Unicameral legislatures|Iceland]]
[[Category:National legislatures|Iceland]]