Opening of the Icelandic Parliament
63 MPs sit in the Icelandic Parliament. Photo: Golli
A new session of the Icelandic Parliament (‘Alþingi’) begins today. Alþingi is one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the world and can trace its roots back to 930 AD.
The programme for the official opening of Alþingi began at 10:30am with a religious service for MPs at the adjacent Reykjavik Cathedral on Parliament Square (‘Austurvöllur’).
At 11:05am, MPs are scheduled walk across to the Alþingi building and enter the parliamentary chamber, followed by President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, who officially opens parliament with a speech.
MPs led to church by the Bishop and President of Iceland. Photo: Júlíus Sigurjónsson
Once the President has left, Speaker of the House Einar K. Guðfinnsson addresses the assembly, after which MPs, ministers and guests break for lunch.
In the afternoon, copies of the draft budget for 2016 are distributed and MPs allocated their seats for the coming parliamentary session.
Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson will give his policy address at 7:40pm.
The current Alþingi building was built in 1880-81. Photo: Ómar
