Southwest () is one of the six

multi-member An electoral or voting system is a set of rules used to determine the results of an election. Electoral systems are used in politics to elect governments, while non-political elections may take place in business, nonprofit organizations and inf ...

constituencies An electoral (congressional, legislative, etc.) district, sometimes called a constituency, riding, or ward, is a geographical portion of a political unit, such as a country, state or province, city, or administrative region, created to provi ...

of the

Althing The (; ), anglicised as Althingi or Althing, is the Parliamentary sovereignty, supreme Parliament, national parliament of Iceland. It is the oldest surviving parliament in the world. The Althing was founded in 930 at ('Thing (assembly), thing ...

, the national

legislature A legislature (, ) is a deliberative assembly with the legal authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city on behalf of the people therein. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial power ...

Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...

. The constituency was established in 2003 following the re-organisation of constituencies across Iceland when the

Reykjanes Reykjanes () is a small headland on the south-western end of the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, giving the main peninsula its name. Volcanic action is responsible for forming the entire peninsula. The nearest town is Keflavik. The name, , trans ...

constituency was split between the new

South South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both west and east. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþa ...

and Southwest constituencies. Southwest is conterminous with the

Capital Capital and its variations may refer to: Common uses * Capital city, a municipality of primary status ** Capital region, a metropolitan region containing the capital ** List of national capitals * Capital letter, an upper-case letter Econom ...

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...

but excludes Reykjavík Municipality which has its own constituencies, Reykjavík North and Reykjavík South. The constituency currently elects 12 of the 63 members of the Althing using the

open Open or OPEN may refer to: Music * Open (band), Australian pop/rock band * The Open (band), English indie rock band * ''Open'' (Blues Image album), 1969 * ''Open'' (Gerd Dudek, Buschi Niebergall, and Edward Vesala album), 1979 * ''Open'' (Go ...

party-list proportional representation Party-list proportional representation (list-PR) is a system of proportional representation based on preregistered Political party, political parties, with each party being Apportionment (politics), allocated a certain number of seats Apportionm ...

electoral system An electoral or voting system is a set of rules used to determine the results of an election. Electoral systems are used in politics to elect governments, while non-political elections may take place in business, nonprofit organizations and inf ...

. At the 2024 parliamentary election it had 79,087 registered electors.

History

In September 1997

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

Davíð Oddsson Davíð Oddsson (pronounced ; born 17 January 1948) is an Icelandic politician, and the longest-serving prime minister of Iceland, in office from 1991 to 2004. From 2004 to 2005 he served as Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Iceland), foreign minis ...

appointed a committee headed by

Friðrik Klemenz Sophusson Friðrik Sophusson (born 18 October 1943 in Reykjavík) is an Icelandic politician and company director. He was the former director of Icelandic state-run energy firm Landsvirkjun. Career Friðrik graduated from the University of Iceland in 197 ...

to review the division of constituencies in Iceland and the organisation of elections. The committee's report was published in October 1998 and recommended, amongst other things, that the number of constituencies be reduced and that they be more equal in population size. The Althing passed an

amendment An amendment is a formal or official change made to a law, contract, constitution, or other legal document. It is based on the verb to amend, which means to change for better. Amendments can add, remove, or update parts of these agreements. They ...

to the

constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly determines how that entity is to be governed. When these pri ...

in June 1999 which removed the reference to specific eight constituencies contained within Article 31 and instead simply stated that there would be six or seven constituencies and that the Althing would determine the boundaries between the constituencies. The amendment also required that if, following an election to Althing, the number of registered electors per seat (including

compensatory seat Leveling seats (, , , , ), commonly known also as adjustment seats, are an election mechanism employed for many years by all Nordic countries (except Finland) in elections for their national legislatures. Germany also used national leveling seats ...

s) in any constituency is less than half of that in another constituency, the National Electoral Commission shall change the allocation of seats so as to reduce the imbalance. Southwest was one of six constituencies () established by the "Elections to the Althing Act no. 24/2000" () passed by the Althing in May 2000. The Act initially allocated 11 seats to the constituency - nine constituency seats and two compensatory seats. The number of seats allocated to Southwest was increased to 12 (ten constituency and two compensatory) in May 2003, 13 (11 constituency and two compensatory) in May 2013 and 14 (12 constituency and two compensatory) in October 2021.

Electoral system

Southwest currently elects 12 of the 63 members of the Althing using the

. Constituency seats are allocated using the

D'Hondt method The D'Hondt method, also called the Jefferson method or the greatest divisors method, is an apportionment method for allocating seats in parliaments among federal states, or in proportional representation among political parties. It belongs to ...

. Compensatory seats (equalisation seas) are calculated based on the national vote and are allocated using the D'Hondt method at the constituency level. Only parties that reach the 5% national

threshold Threshold may refer to: Science Biology * Threshold (reference value) * Absolute threshold * Absolute threshold of hearing * Action potential * Aerobic threshold * Anaerobic threshold * Dark adaptation threshold * Epidemic threshold * Flicke ...

compete for compensatory seats.

Election results

Summary

(Excludes compensatory seats.)

Detailed

2020s

=2024

= Results of the 2024 parliamentary election held on 30 November 2024: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats -

Alma Möller Alma Dagbjört Möller (born 24 June 1961) is an Icelandic doctor and politician. On 1 April 2018 she became the first woman to serve as the Directorate of Health, Director of Health since the office was established in 1760. Since February 2020, ...

(S), 12,217.17 votes; Bergþór Ólason (M), 7,580.00 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 14,451.88 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 11,324.75 votes; Eiríkur Björn Björgvinsson (C), 8,579.67 votes;

Guðmundur Ari Sigurjónsson Guðmundur Ari Sigurjónsson (born 12 September 1988) is an Icelandic politician and member of the Althing. A member of the Social Democratic Alliance, he has represented the Southwest constituency since November 2024. Guðmundur was born on 12 ...

(S), 10,272.83 votes;

Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson (born 14 July 1955) is an Icelandic politician from the People's Party. He was born in Reykjavík and has represented the Southwest constituency in the Althing, the Icelandic parliament, since 2017 2017 was de ...

(F), 7,008.00 votes; Nanna Margrét Gunnlaugsdóttir (M), 5,786.50 votes; Sigmar Guðmundsson (C), 10,640.50 votes; Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir (D), 12,660.50 votes;

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (born 4October 1965) is an Icelandic politician, who has been chairwoman of Viðreisn since 2017. Þorgerður was deputy chairwoman of the Independence Party from 2005 to 2010. She was the Minister of Educat ...

(C), 12,698.83 votes; and

Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir Þ is the letter thorn, which in Icelandic represents a voiceless dental fricative, as in the English word "thick." (born 22 November 1965) is an Icelandic politician who has served as Speaker of the Althing sinc ...

(S), 8,166.00 votes. * Compensatory seats - Jónína Björk Óskarsdóttir (F), 5,262.00 votes; and Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir (D), 9,373.62 votes.

=2021

= Results of the 2021 parliamentary election held on 25 September 2021: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats - Ágúst Bjarni Garðarsson (B), 6,377.75 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 17,548.75 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 13,301.38 votes;

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson (born 28 March 1977) is a former member of parliament (Althing, Alþingi) in Iceland. He served as Minister of Social Affairs (Iceland), Minister of Social Affairs and the Labour Market, and concurrently as Minister ...

(V), 7,035.33 votes;

(F), 4,431.00 votes;

Jón Gunnarsson Jón Gunnarsson (born 21 September 1956) is an Icelandic politician. His multifaceted career spans various sectors including farming, industry management, and significant roles in Icelandic politics. Notably, he has served as a Member of the Alt ...

(D), 15,421.50 votes;

Óli Björn Kárason Óli Björn Kárason (born 26 August 1960) is an Icelandic politician and former newspaper editor and reporter. He was the founder and first editor of Viðskiptablaðið. From 1999 to 2003 he served as the editor of Dagblaðið Vísir. After ...

(D), 11,089.00 votes; Willum Þór Þórsson (B), 8,508.50 votes;

(C), 6,582.25 votes; Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (P), 4,833.00 votes; and

(S), 4,683.33 votes. * Compensatory seats - Gísli Rafn Ólafsson (P), 3,639.50 votes; and Sigmar Guðmundsson (C), 5,032.00 votes.

2010s

=2017

= Results of the 2017 parliamentary election held on 28 October 2017: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats - Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 16,738.00 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 15,056.75 votes;

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson (born 9 June 1968) is an Icelandic politician for the Centre Party. He is a member of the Althingi (Iceland's parliament) for the Centre Party for the Northwest of Iceland constituency since 2017. He was the chairman of ...

(M), 5,184.00 votes;

Guðmundur Andri Thorsson Guðmundur Andri Thorsson is an editor, critic, and author born in Iceland on 31 December 1957. He received his degree in literature in 1983 from the University of Iceland. His first work was as a literary critic in the 1980s. His first novel, '' ...

(S). 6,759.67 votes;

(D), 12,851.50 votes;

Jón Þór Ólafsson Jón Þór Ólafsson (born 13 March 1977) is an Icelandic politician. A business administration student at the University of Iceland, he was elected to the Althing in the 2013 Icelandic parliamentary election Parliamentary elections were held ...

(P), 4,624.00 votes; Ólafur Þór Gunnarsson (V), 5,672.75 votes;

(D), 10,784.12 votes; Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir (V), 7,580.75 votes; Willum Þór Þórsson (B), 4,405.67 votes; and

(C), 5,116.25 votes. * Compensatory seats -

(F), 3,611.33 votes; and Jón Steindór Valdimarsson (C), 3,972.25 votes.

=2016

= Results of the 2016 parliamentary election held on 29 October 2016: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats - Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 17,778.60 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 16,152.90 votes;

Eygló Harðardóttir Eygló Harðardóttir (born 12 December 1972) is an Icelandic politician and former cabinet member. She served as Iceland's Minister of Social Affairs and Housing from 2013 to 2017. She has a degree in art from the Stockholm University and has ...

(B), 3,894.67 votes;

(D), 14,342.70 votes;

(P), 7,211.00 votes;

(D), 12,603.90 votes;

Óttarr Proppé Óttarr Olaf Proppé (born 7 November 1968) is a former Icelandic politician. He is a musician, actor, former Reykjavík City Councilor (Best Party 2010-2014) and former Member of Parliament ( Bright Future 2013-2017). Óttarr was elected chairm ...

(A), 5,449.00 votes; Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir (V), 6,373.67 votes;

Vilhjálmur Bjarnason Vilhjálmur or Vilhjalmur is an Icelandic masculine given name and may refer to: * Vilhjálmur Árnason (born 1953), professor of philosophy at the University of Iceland *Vilhjálmur Þórmundur Vilhjálmsson (born 1946), mayor of Reykjavík 200 ...

(D), 10,771.90 votes;

(C), 6,300.50 votes; and Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (P), 5,412.00 votes. * Compensatory seats - Jón Steindór Valdimarsson (C), 5,268.25 votes; and Theodóra S. Þorsteinsdóttir (A), 4,090.00 votes.

=2013

= Results of the 2013 parliamentary election held on 27 April 2013: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats -

Árni Páll Árnason Árni Páll Árnason (born 23 May 1966) is Vice-President and a member of the College of the EFTA Surveillance Authority, responsible for Competition, Energy, Environment, Transport, Food Safety, Free movement of goods, Public undertakings an ...

(S), 6,843.8 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 14,868.7 votes;

(B), 10,879.2 votes;

Guðmundur Steingrímsson Guðmundur Steingrímsson (born 28 October 1972) is an Icelandic politician. He is the son and grandson of former Icelandic Prime Ministers Steingrímur Hermannsson and Hermann Jónasson, respectively. Career Guðmundur was a member of the Alth ...

(A), 4,664.7 votes;

(D), 12,470.0 votes;

Katrín Júlíusdóttir Katrín Júlíusdóttir (born 23 November 1974), is a former Icelandic politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent ...

(S), 5,201.5 votes;

Ögmundur Jónasson Ögmundur Jónasson (born 17 July 1948) is an Icelandic politician who served as a member of Althingi, the Icelandic Parliament, from 1995 to 2016. He is the former Minister of the Interior (2011-2013); Minister of Justice and human rights and ...

(V), 3,901.3 votes;

Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir (born 23 June 1949) is an Icelandic politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the p ...

(D), 13,969.2 votes;

(D), 10,751.8 votes; Willum Þór Þórsson (B), 9,098.5 votes; and

Þorsteinn B. Sæmundsson Þorsteinn is an Old Norse and Icelandic masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: *Þorsteinn Eiríksson (X century), the youngest son of Erik the Red *Þorsteinn Erlingsson (1858–1914), Icelandic poet *Þorsteinn Gylfason (194 ...

(B), 7,307.7 votes. * Compensatory seats -

Birgitta Jónsdóttir Birgitta Jónsdóttir (born 17 April 1967) is an Icelandic politician, anarchist, poet, and activist. She was a Member of the Althing (MP) for the Southwest Constituency from 2013 to 2017, representing the Pirate Party, having been elected at t ...

(Þ), 2,527.7 votes; and

Elín Hirst Elín Stefánsdóttir Hirst (born 4 September 1960) is an Icelandic politician, and a former member of the Althing from 2013 to 2016. Elín is a former journalist, television personality, published author, documentary filmmaker and anchor. She w ...

(D), 9,142.7 votes.

2000s

=2009

= Results of the 2009 parliamentary election held on 25 April 2009: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats -

(S), 15,243.9 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 13,075.1 votes;

Guðfríður Lilja Grétarsdóttir Guðfríður Lilja Grétarsdóttir (born 10 January 1972) is an Icelandic politician, and a member of Althing The (; ), anglicised as Althingi or Althing, is the Parliamentary sovereignty, supreme Parliament, national parliament of Iceland. ...

(V), 8,304.7 votes;

(S), 13,561.4 votes;

(V), 6,285.5 votes;

(D), 9,965.1 votes;

Siv Friðleifsdóttir Björg Siv Juhlin Friðleifsdóttir (born 10 August 1962), commonly known as Siv Friðleifsdóttir, is an Icelandic politician. She is half-Norwegian, having partly grown up in Norway, where she spent almost every summer next to the Oslofjord wi ...

(B), 5,259.0 votes; Þór Saari (O), 4,410.0 votes;

(D), 10,900.6 votes; and

(S), 10,859.1 votes. * Compensatory seats -

(D), 8,460.6 votes; and Magnús Orri Schram (S), 9,930.9 votes.

=2007

= Results of the 2007 parliamentary election held on 12 May 2007: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats - Ármann Kr. Ólafsson (D), 15,978.8 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 17,473.7 votes; Gunnar Svavarsson (S), 12,712.1 votes;

(D), 14,476.1 votes;

(S), 11,224.4 votes;

(V), 5,199.0 votes;

Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir (born 30 September 1967) is an Icelandic politician who is the director of the OECD Development Centre. She was previously the Politics of Iceland, Minister of Industry and Commerce from 2013 to 2017 and an electe ...

(D), 12,896.4 votes;

(B), 3,169.0 votes;

(D), 19,133.2 votes; and

(S), 9,623.2 votes. * Compensatory seats -

(S), 8,047.2 votes; and

(D), 11,222.3 votes.

=2003

= Results of the 2003 parliamentary election held on 10 May 2003: The following candidates were elected: * Constituency seats -

Árni Mathiesen Árni M. Mathiesen (born 2 October 1958 in Reykjavík) is an Icelandic politician. From September 2005 through 31 January 2009, he was Minister of Finance (Iceland), Minister of Finance in Iceland. From 1999 to 2005 he was Minister of Fisheries ...

(D), 16,147.7 votes; Gunnar Birgisson (D), 14,289.2 votes; Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson (S), 13,791.0 votes;

(S), 8,814.4 votes; Rannveig Guðmundsdóttir (S), 12,268.9 votes;

Sigríður Anna Þórðardóttir Sigríður Anna Þórðardóttir (born 14 May 1946) is an Icelandic politician and former Minister for the Environment in the cabinet of Halldór Ásgrímsson The Cabinet of Halldór Ásgrímsson in Iceland was formed 15 September 2004. Cab ...

(D), 13,080.9 votes;

(B), 6,298.0 votes;

(D), 11,589.9 votes; and

(S), 10,534.0 votes. * Compensatory seats - Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 9,923.4 votes; and Gunnar Örn Örlygsson (F), 2,868.0 votes.

Notes

References

{{Constituencies of Iceland 2003 establishments in Iceland Althing constituencies Althing constituency Constituencies established in 2003