Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.05.2018, Blaðsíða 14

No lack of choices in the city elections this year
We’re definitely Reykjavík-focused,
but we would be remiss to overlook
the municipal elections happening in
the countryside, too. These races are
often comprised of parties specific to
the town or village in question. But
they can also be the scene of particu-
lar dramas that can only happen in
communities of their small size.
Mostly, though, the distinguish-
ing feature of municipal elections
in the countryside is the presence
of parties devoted solely to their
respective communities. These
parties often do better than even the
national parties. There’s plenty going
on outside The Bustling Metropo-
lis of Reykjavík, so let’s have a look.
Ísafjörður: Í-List was the big winner
in 2014, beating the Independence Party
by just under 12% of the vote, but the
Independence Party beat them the
term before that, in 2010, and they’re
not playing around this year, either.
It’s pretty much a race between these
two parties, although the Progres-
sives also tend to win a respect-
able share in Ísafjörður elections.
Akureyri: Being the largest munic-
ipality in the countryside, local elec-
tions also tends to mean more variety.
Akureyri does have its local party,
L-List, but other national parties run
here, too, even also-rans like Dögun.
L-List pretty much dominated in
2010, but 2014 saw them overtaken
by the Independence Party. However,
there are seven parties running,
including the new Centre Party, so we
could see some surprises this year.
Egilsstaðir: Now you’re in Progres-
sive Party country. Farmers are the
traditional base for the Progressives, so
them having won the most votes in 2014
is unsurprising. However, Egilsstaðir
also has a bit of a People’s Front of Judea
vs. the Judean People’s Front situation
going on: the two parties that have
come in second and third behind the
Progressives, both in 2014 and 2010,
have been People Interested In Regional
Matters in Fljótsdalshérað and the
Organisation of Socialistic People in
Fljótsdalshérað. Both of these parties
eclipse the Independence Party but split
the vote so evenly that the Progres-
sives are all but guaranteed victory.
Westman Islands: If you were to talk
about “blue states” in Iceland, you’d be
referring to a region with solid support
for the Independence Party. If such
terminology were used in Iceland, the
Westman Islands would most defi-
nitely be a blue state. The Independ-
ence Party has crushed the local Island
List and pretty much any other party
foolish enough to run against them
here. While the party is currently
experiencing an internal shake-up,
don’t expect any big upsets here, ever.
Hafnarfjörður: This town is an
odd bird. Hafnarfjörður is a work-
ing-to-middle class family town and
has almost always leaned to the left.
They are one of the strongholds of
the Social Democrats and have been
pretty much from the party’s incep-
tion. That started to change in 2010, as
the Social Democrats barely squeaked
past the Independence Party, and then
lost to the Independence Party in 2014.
This will be the town to watch this
month, as the Social Democrats may
be able to snatch victory back again.
It’s a banner year for municipal elec-
tions in Reykjavík for a variety of
reasons, not least of which is the sheer
number of parties running. This elec-
tion year sees a special blend of parties
currently sitting on City Council in
Reykjavík, who are outnumbered by
familiar parties in Parliament, peren-
nial outsiders, and even some parties
created expressly for the city elec-
tions. Here’s who they are and our own
brief takes on what they stand for:
S-list: the Social Democrats
Currently leading the city, and
strong contenders to do it again.
The Social Democrats, and parties
adjacent to them (e.g. the Best Party
and Bright Future), have long been
the prefered favourites for running
Reykjavík. Consider them a safe bet.
D-list: Independence Party
The arch-enemies of the Social Demo-
crats, currently polling strong enough to
also be contenders for leading the next
City Council. Critical of Social Demo-
crat policies, their own alternatives
cater to the city’s wealthy and elderly.
V-list: the Left-Greens
In the current Reykjavík City Coun-
cil majority. Have always been
outside players with a seat or
two, playing a supporting role in
any even vaguely leftist council.
P-list: the Pirate Party
Also in the current Reykjavík City
Council majority. Have been polling
exceptionally well lately, but don’t
forget the pre-election Pirate surge in
2016’s Parliament elections, and how
that turned out.
B-list: the Progressive Party
Traditionally the party for farmers,
they have never done well in Reykjavík.
Managed to get two seats in 2014 due
to openly Islamophobic campaigning,
and have effectively cratered since
then. Virtually extinct in the capital.
C-list: the Reform Party
Newcomers to city politics, they
already have seats in Parliament, and
their #2 candidate is a former MP,
Pawel Bartoszek. Could syphon votes
away from the Independence Party.
F-list: the People’s Party
Also newcomers to city politics
with seats in Parliament. A popu-
list party currently struggling to
poll well enough for a single seat.
M-list: the Centre Party
Again, newcomers to city politics
with seats in Parliament. The home of
Progressive Party exiles, best defined
for their surreal Viking-themed
campaign ads. Might actually win a seat.
R-list: the People’s Front
of Iceland
Our own Marxist-Leninists, they are
always in the running for City Coun-
cil and Parliament, and never do well
enough to win a seat in either.
J-list: the Socialist Party
Formed last year, this is their first
campaign. Actively campaigning on
social media, slowly ekeing their way
up the polls.
Þ-list: the Freedom Party
Populists who oppose the building of a
mosque in Reykjavík and want immi-
grants to become Icelandic but are in
no way xenophobic at all, no sir. Poll-
ing badly.
E-list: the Icelandic
National Front
A n o t h er p op u l i s t , t o t a l l y -n o t -
racist party from whom the Free-
dom Party split. Also polling badly.
H-list: the Capital City List
An enigma wrapped in a riddle inside
a mystery. Possibly running just
for the sake of running, currently
polling outside of the running.
K-list: the Women’s Movement
All-woman political party, which is not
unheard of in Icelandic politics. Has
a platform that naturally focuses on
women’s rights.
Y-list: the Men’s Movement
Troll campaign comprised of older
men irritated with the Women’s
Movement. Not to be taken seriously.
O-list: Our City – Reykjavík
The self-serving party of Sveinbjörg B.
Sveinbjörnsdóttir, a former Progressive
city councilperson largely responsible
for that party’s Islamophobic campaign
in 2014, who later left the party for not
defending her racism strongly enough.
Words:
Paul Fontaine
Photo:
Timothée
Lambrecq
ANALYSIS
The Reykjavík 16:
Meet The Parties In
The Running
No shortage of people who want
to be on City Council
Words: Paul Fontaine Photo: Art Bicnick
ELECTIONS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Country Roads:
Municipal
Elections of the
Countryside
Your hitchiker’s guide to rural elections
14 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 08 — 2018