Althing

The Althing is the national legislature of Iceland and is also called the Icelandic Parliament or the Parliament of Iceland. It was established in 930, making it the oldest legislature in the world. The Althing was founded at Þingvellir, a place about 45 kilometres east of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland.

For many years, the Althing did not have full power. After Iceland joined with Norway in 1262, its legislative role was lost until 1904, when Iceland gained more self-rule from Denmark. Even during this time, the Althing continued to meet at Þingvellir until 1800. It was restarted in 1845 and moved to Reykjavík. Over time, it changed from having two chambers to just one, and today it has 63 members who are elected every four years using party-list proportional representation.

The constitution of Iceland sets rules for how the Althing is organized. There are six electoral constituencies, and each party with more than 5% of the national vote gets seats based on its share of the vote. This helps make sure that each political party’s representation matches its support among voters.

Historical background

Foundation: c. 930–1262

The Althing is known as the oldest parliament in the world. It started in about 930 as an outdoor meeting on the plains of Þingvellir, about 45 kilometres east of Reykjavík. At first, it was a gathering of Iceland’s most important leaders, called goðar, who met to make laws and settle disputes. All free men could join these meetings, which were big social events. People lived in temporary tents during the meetings. The center was the Law Rock, where the Lawspeaker sat and spoke the laws aloud each year.

In 930, the Gulathing Law was introduced at the first Althing by Úlfljótr, who studied laws in Norway. Iceland later chose Christianity as its official religion in the year 1000.

Lögrétta

Public talks happened at the Law Rock, where the meeting started and ended. The Lögrétta was the main decision-making part of the Althing. It included 39 district leaders, nine extra members, and the Lawspeaker. The Lögrétta decided on laws, settled legal problems, and heard cases. After around 965, Iceland was split into four parts, and each part had a court of 36 judges. Another court was added in the 11th century to handle cases the other courts couldn’t solve.

Monarchy: 1262–1800

In 1262, Iceland came under the rule of the Norwegian king through the Old Covenant. The old Icelandic Commonwealth ended, and the goðar no longer ruled. The king and his officials now had executive power. The Lögrétta continued with 36 members and shared law-making power with the king. Laws needed the king’s approval, and if the king proposed laws, the Althing had to agree. The Lawspeaker was replaced by two legal administrators called lögemenn.

By the late 1300s, both Norway and Iceland were controlled by the Danish monarchy. With absolute monarchy in Denmark, Iceland lost its right to make and agree on laws. After this, the Althing mainly served as a court until 1800.

High Court: 1800–1845

In 1800, the Althing was closed by a royal decree. A new High Court was created in Reykjavík and started meeting in 1801. This court was the highest in the land and worked until 1920, when the Supreme Court of Iceland was established.

Consultative assembly: 1845–1874

A new Althing was created in 1843 and first met in Reykjavík on July 1, 1845. It had 26 members: one from each of 20 districts and six chosen by the king. Only men with enough wealth and who were at least 25 years old could vote, which was about 5% of the population. The Althing met for four weeks each year and could only discuss ideas and give advice to the Crown. Proposed laws were read twice before being sent to the government as petitions. During this time, the Althing helped improve laws and how the country was run.

Legislative assembly from 1874

In 1874, a new constitution gave the Althing shared power to make laws with the Crown for Icelandic matters. The Treasury could now collect taxes and manage money. The king could still reject laws, and often did on his ministers’ advice. The Althing grew to 36 members: 30 elected and six chosen by the king. It had two chambers—an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber could block laws. The Althing met every two years and moved to a new Parliament House in 1881.

Home rule

In 1903, Iceland gained home rule and parliamentary government. Hannes Hafstein became the first Icelandic minister, responsible to the Althing. By 1908, voting became secret, and all of Iceland voted on the same day. In 1915, the king’s appointed members were replaced by six elected representatives.

Personal union

In 1918, Iceland entered a personal union with Denmark, which could end after 25 years. The Althing now had full legislative power. By 1920, it had 42 members and met in autumn starting in 1945. In 1934, the number of members grew to 49, and the voting age dropped to 21. By 1959, there were 60 members, and the voting age became 20 in 1968. In 1991, the two chambers merged into one. Today, there are twelve standing committees.

Republic

When Germany occupied Denmark in 1940, Iceland took control of its own foreign policy and coastal surveillance. In 1944, the Althing declared the Republic of Iceland. By 1991, the Althing became a single chamber, and today it has twelve standing committees.

Recent and future elections

A full term of parliament is four years, but elections can happen earlier.

5 percent threshold

Results of 2024 general election

The 2024 general election in Iceland brought changes to the country's government. Voters chose new members for the Althing, Iceland's oldest parliament, which was established in 930. The results will shape how Iceland is led in the coming years.

Historical composition

Republic of Iceland (Since 1944)

The Althing is Iceland's national parliament. It began in 930 and is the oldest parliament in the world. It was first started at Thingvellir, a place about 45 kilometres east of Reykjavik, the capital city.

Members (1980s–present)

Here are the lists of people who served in Iceland's parliament, the Althing, from the 1980s until today:

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