Alþingi og framkvæmdarvaldið

Abstract

The interrelations and jurisdiction of the Althingi, the Icelandic Parliament, vis-a-vis the executive branch are often a matter of discussion. This paper reports on qualitative research on how Parliament Members and Ministers deal with the factors involved in the state’s authority to enact laws. The main conclusion is that Parliament can and do effectively exercise the right of rejection, at three levels; within the Prime Minister’s party, within the party/-ies that make up the coalition government, and with the opposition parties both before and in the parliamentary handling of any issue involved. Most of those interviewed considered themselves aware of the overwhelming authority invested in the Parliament as regards enactment of laws, and the research confirms this. Althingi could increase this with the full adoption of the Nordic model of negotiation democracy; this would also increase social quality in society. It could increase the performance of the system of governance as a whole in enactment of laws with changes in the allocation of projects (moved earlier in the process of handling an issue), which should not affect its authority in the matter. It can also strengthen its position as regards its agenda.

Class in Iceland

“…The continuing effects of class on political participation are unmistakable when considering elected representatives. Arnþórsson’s (2019) analysis of Icelandic MPs from 1991 to 2018 demonstrates that members of Alþingi come predominantly from the ‘upper class’ (63%), far exceeding the other Nordic countries (Ruostetsaari, 2006). These results echo Grímsson (1976), who showed how a homogeneous, self-reproducing elite dominated Iceland from 1800 and well into the 20th century.…”

“…Grímsson (1976) and Kristinsson (2018) argue that pluralism has weakened elitism over time. However, Arnþórsson (2019) shows that 37.8% of MPs have family relations with others who have served in Alþingi . ‘The data undoubtedly suggest that the political elite is partly rooted in family ties and that certain families defend their position similar to the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century’ (Arnþórsson, 2019: 106).…”

“…However, Arnþórsson (2019) shows that 37.8% of MPs have family relations with others who have served in Alþingi . ‘The data undoubtedly suggest that the political elite is partly rooted in family ties and that certain families defend their position similar to the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century’ (Arnþórsson, 2019: 106). Arnþórsson concludes that Icelandic elites are ‘unequivocally cohesive’ and that the political elite is homogeneous and has a similar worldview, which it shares with other elite groups.…”