Mixed tidings in latest Iceland polls

Iceland’s Pirate Party continues to stretch its lead at the top while support for the centre-left Social Democratic Alliance is at an all-time low, according the latest MMR opinion poll.

A survey of 981 Icelanders conducted 24-30 June reveals that 33.2% would vote for the Pirate Party (‘Píratar’) if general elections were held in Iceland today. This is almost ten percentage points higher than its nearest rival, the centre-right Independence Party (‘Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn’), which is on 23.8%.

Disappointing figures for SDA

On the other hand, support for the centre-left Social Democratic Alliance (‘Samfylkingin’) is at an all-time low, at just 9.3%.

According to political scientist Stef­an­ía Óskars­dótt­ir, this decline in the fortunes of the Social Democratic Alliance may be attributed to the legacy of the previous government, a lack of renewal within the party, and an ill-defined specific political platform.

Iceland’s membership of the European Union (EU) has for some time been a key issue for the party. With Iceland’s application process dying a death under the current government, the party needs to find itself a new platform, according to Óskars­dótt­ir.

The Social Democratic Alliance appears also not to be winning the young vote, with the average age of party members relatively high. “The Pirates are clearly scoring high with young voters,” Óskars­dótt­ir explains.

“Liberal socialism more relevant than ever”

This negative outlook has been dismissed by former minister and Social Democratic Alliance MP, Björg­vin G. Sig­urðsson.

“The party will rise again,” he predicts. “Liberal socialism is a classic brand of politics which has never been more relevant than now. Árni [Páll Árnason, current party leader] is the man for the job.”

According to Sig­urðsson, the Social Democratic Alliance’s best days are ahead of it, provided that socialists unite and fight for the party.

Results of the latest MMR opinion poll. Source: MMR