Iceland is heading for a snap election after Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson dissolved the country’s fragile governing coalition on Monday, The Associated Press reports.
Citing irreconcilable differences on key policy issues, Benediktsson asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to formally dissolve the Althingi, Iceland’s parliament, paving the way for a national election on November 30. The president has yet to make a final decision but has confirmed meetings with other party leaders this week.
The coalition, which formed in April, was a delicate balance between Benediktsson’s center-right Independence Party, the centrist Progressive Party, and the Left Green Movement. However, disagreements over immigration, energy policy, and the economy ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Iceland faces a confluence of challenges. While the country has enjoyed a tourism boom in recent years, thanks to its stunning natural beauty, this growth has put pressure on public finances.
Recent volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which have displaced thousands and caused significant damage, have only compounded the economic strain.
