Reykjavík Grapevine - 07.10.2016, Blaðsíða 6

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Basic
Election
Facts
The Politics Issue:
Inner Workings
Iceland is heading into snap elections this month. After a tumultuous few years of austerity, protests, and the bomb-
shell that was the Panama Papers leak, the government was forced to let early elections happen, months ahead of
schedule. As such, we've hand-crafted this issue to help you navigate your way through the different parties running,
what issues we're facing, and where Icelanders want to take their country.
Date of elections: October 29
Originally Planned Date:
May 2017
Eligeable voters: ~245.000
Who can vote?
Icelandic citizens, or Danish
nationals who lived in Iceland
between March 6, 1936 and ‘46
(Why? Because law nr. 85/1946),
who are 18 years old by Election
Day, and who have been le-
gally registered residents at least
three weeks prior to Election Day.
So if you're looking for voting info
in an english-language magazine,
your chances are pretty slim.
Estimated Voter Turnout:
Ranging from 61% for 20-24
year olds to 87% for the 65-74
age range.
Seats in parliament: 63
Number of districts: 6
Avarage number of voters be-
hind each MP (2013): 3774
Best represented district (2013):
North-west Iceland, with 2665
voters behind each MP.
Best represented district (2013):
South-west aka Reykjavik sub-
urbs,, with 4856 voters crowding
behind each MP.
Total number of candidates:
If all the 12 parties succeed filing
their papers in every district,
around 1500, or 0.6% of the
voting-age population.
The latest poll - Based on all the last polls, compiled by Kosningaspa.is, October 5.
One of the questions we asked every
party currently polling high enough to
win seats in Parliament this election
year was who they could see them-
selves partnering with in a coalition.
All of them answered, but some have a
better shot at having a chance at form-
ing a government than others. What
are our options?
Coalition 1: Independence Party &
Pirate Party
A.k.a. “Bitcoin Libertarian Shitstorm”
Why: They’ve been in the polls’ up-
per levels for months, though they are
starting to tumble.
Why not: The Independence Party
might not be commenting on any par-
ty, but the Pirates consider this pos-
sible set-up “highly unlikely.”
Estimated shelf life: As soon as anyone
mentions the constitution.
Coalition 2: Pirates, Social
Democrats & the Left-Greens
A.k.a. “Good Night Right Side”
Why: All of them show affinity for
working together, would easily hold a
majority.
Why not: Four years of endless conser-
vative bragging transforms into four
years of endless conservative whining.
Plus people are allergic to three-party
coalitions.
Estimated shelf life: One year, culmi-
nating in a massive conservative dem-
onstration that ends badly; broken
champagne bottles and lobster tails
littering Austurvöllur. Or four years.
Coalition 3: Independence Party &
Progressive Party
A.k.a. “Surprise Motherfuckers”
Why: Not like it’s never happened be-
fore.
Why not: Highly unlikely to happen
this time around in most possible uni-
verses.
Estimated shelf life: Over before it be-
gan.
Coalition 4: Everybody
A.k.a. “Thunderdome”
Why: It’s 63 people. I mean come on.
Why not: Likely to form bar room co-
alitions anyway.
Estimated shelf life: One parliamenta-
ry session, followed by everyone going
home and never coming back.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Pí
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ira
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ar
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(P
ro
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es
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P
ar
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)
Sa
m
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lk
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n
-
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(S
oc
ia
l D
em
oc
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)
D
ög
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(D
aw
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Pa
rt
ie
s t
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su
re
un
de
r 1
%
Choose Your Team!
What your next government might look like
Words PAUL FONTAINE Illustrations LÓA HLÍN HJÁLMTÝSDÓTTIR