Northeast MPs oppose reduction of parliamentary seats

electoral reform constituency reduction parliamentary seats Icelandic politics North-East constituency

Members of Parliament from the Northeast constituency have expressed strong opposition to a proposal by the Minister of Justice's working group to reduce the number of seats in the region. The proposal suggests decreasing the number of fixed constituency seats from 54 to 36, while increasing equalization seats from nine to 27.

Under this plan, the Northeast constituency would see its representation drop from ten members to seven, while the Southwest constituency would increase from 14 to 18. Þórarinn Ingi Pétursson of the Progressive Party argued that the move would diminish the influence of a region that generates 40 percent of the nation's export value.

Sigurjón Þórðarson of the People's Party also opposed the measures, noting that all members of the working group reside and work in the capital area. He highlighted that the plan would shift four parliamentary seats from rural constituencies to the Southwest, further concentrating power in the capital region.