Liberal Reform Party to field candidates in Reykjanesbær for the first time

The Liberal Reform Party (Viðreisn) is preparing to field candidates in more municipalities in next year’s local elections.

Among the targeted municipalities is Reykjanesbær, where some shake-ups are expected in the run-up to the elections, though it remains unclear whether the local group Bein leið will run again.

The Reykjanesbær town council currently consists of representatives from the Independence Party, the Progressive Party, the Social Democratic Alliance, Bein leið, and Umbót. The governing majority is formed by the Progressive Party, the Social Democratic Alliance, and Bein leið.

Reform has not previously run in Reykjanesbær, Iceland’s fourth largest municipality. One explanation may be that many of the individuals in Bein leið are Reform supporters. For example, Guðbrandur Einarsson, Reform’s MP for the South Constituency, is one of Bein leið’s founders and previously served on the town council for the group.

“Exciting times ahead”

Arnar Páll Guðmundsson, chair of Reform in Suðurnes, told mbl.is that the party intends to run in Reykjanesbær in the municipal elections in May.

“Our plan is to run under the Reform banner and go all in during this exciting period ahead,” he said.

According to Guðmundsson, Reform has strong momentum nationwide, and members in Suðurnes want to contribute at the municipal level as well.

Bein leið possibly winding down

The local political landscape shifted on Saturday when Víkurfréttir reported that Valgerður Björk Pálsdóttir, leader of Bein leið, announced she would not seek re-election due to a new job in Belgium.

Asked whether this meant Bein leið would not run and whether its members might join the Reform campaign, Arnar said everyone was welcome in Reform, but there were no plans for a joint list. His understanding is that Bein leið will not participate in the next elections, despite currently being part of the town council majority.

“There are people within our ranks now who have also worked for Bein leið. As I understand it, Bein leið is coming to an end. But you never know what might happen. Everyone is welcome with us, but I find it very unlikely that we would run a joint list with them,” he said.

He added that Reform’s national leadership is encouraging members around the country to run under the party’s name.

Plans for Árborg and Akureyri

Svanborg Sigmarsdóttir, Reform’s executive director, told mbl.is that the party is aiming to field candidates in more municipalities than in the last election.

In 2022, Reform ran under its own banner in Reykjavík, Hafnarfjörður, Mosfellsbær, Kópavogur, and Garðabær.

According to Sigmarsdóttir, the party is now considering running in Árborg and Akureyri as well.