Independence Party (Iceland)

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Independence Party
Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn
Chairman	Bjarni Benediktsson
Vice chairman	Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir
Founded	25 May 1929
Headquarters	Háaleitisbraut 1 105 Reykjavík
Political Ideology	Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Classical liberalism
European Affiliation	European Democrat Union
International Affiliation	International Democrat Union
Colour(s)	Blue
Seats in the Althing
Website	http://www.xd.is

Iceland

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Iceland

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The Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) is a centre-right political party in Iceland. It was formed in 1929 through a merger of the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The party supports Icelandic membership of NATO but is opposed to the idea of joining the European Union. The party's position on EU membership was confirmed at its national congress on March 2009. ^[1]

The Chairman of the Independence Party is Bjarni Benediktsson. He was elected at the party's national congress in March 2009. The Vice-Chairman of the party is Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, former Minister of Education, Science and Culture.

Contents 1 Leaders 2 2007 elections 3 2009 elections 4 Notes and references 5 External links

[edit] Leaders

All former chairmen of the party have held the office of the Prime Minister of Iceland: Ólafur Thors, Bjarni Benediktsson, Jóhann Hafstein, Geir Hallgrímsson, Þorsteinn Pálsson, Davíð Oddsson and Geir H. Haarde. Jón Þorláksson, the first chairman of the Independence party was Prime Minister for the Conservative party prior to the foundation of the Independence party. Gunnar Thoroddsen, who was the party's vice chairman 1974-1981, was Iceland's PM from 1980 to 1983, but the Independence Party did not officially support his government, although some MP's in the party did.

Leader	From	To
Jón Þorláksson	29 May 1929	2 October 1934
Ólafur Thors	2 October 1934	22 October 1961
Bjarni Benediktsson	22 October 1961	10 July 1970
Jóhann Hafstein	10 July 1970	12 October 1973
Geir Hallgrímsson	12 October 1973	6 November 1983
Þorsteinn Pálsson	6 November 1983	10 March 1991
Davíð Oddsson	10 March 1991	16 October 2005
Geir Haarde	16 October 2005	29 March 2009
Bjarni Benediktsson	29 March 2009	Present

[edit] 2007 elections

The Independence Party won the 2007 elections, increasing their seat tally in the Althing by 3. It formed a new coalition government under Haarde with the Social Democratic Alliance, after their current coalition partner, the Progressive Party, lost heavily in the elections.

[edit] 2009 elections

In the 2009 elections, the Independence Party dropped from 25 to 16 seats in the Althing, becoming Iceland's second-largest party following the Social Democratic Alliance (which gained two seats, to 20.)

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] External links

• Official website (English)
• The The National Youth Organisation of the Independence Party, named Samband ungra sjálfstæðismanna or SUS in Icelandic, is one of the oldest political youth movements in Iceland. Its chairman is Þórlindur Kjartansson.
• About the Independence Party

v • d • e Political parties in Iceland Parliament (63): Social Democratic Alliance (20) · Independence Party (16) · Left-Green Movement (14) · Progressive Party (9) · Citizens' Movement (4) Minor parties: Liberal Party · Democracy Movement Portal:Politics - List of political parties - Politics of Iceland