Reykjavik, Iceland — In a significant shift observed during the parliamentary elections held on Saturday, early results indicate that voters in Iceland have opted against the incumbent political parties, with a center-left faction emerging as a contender for the lead.

As of Sunday, with over half of the ballots counted, the Social Democratic Alliance has captured 15 seats in the 63-member Althingi, Iceland’s parliament, translating to more than 21% of the total vote. Following closely, the conservative Independence Party garnered 14 seats and nearly 20% of the vote, while the centrist Liberal Reform Party secured 11 seats and 16% of the vote share, as reported by the national broadcaster, RUV.

The elections were prompted by internal conflicts over key issues such as immigration, energy policy, and economic management, leading Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to dissolve the coalition government and seek an early election.

The counting process faced interruptions in certain regions due to severe snowstorms that hindered road access and delayed the transportation of ballot boxes to counting facilities.

Since the financial collapse in 2008, which severely impacted Iceland’s economy, the country has experienced a pattern of political instability typically marked by multi-party coalitions.

Similar to trends seen in numerous Western nations, Icelanders are expressing dissatisfaction with rising living costs and immigration challenges by shifting their support away from incumbent parties. Benediktsson’s Independence Party, along with the Progressive Party and the Left Greens—partners in the previous coalition—seem to have lost ground in the elections.

Iceland, known for its volcanic landscape and population of just under 400,000, takes pride in its democratic governance. The Althingi, established in 930 by Viking settlers, is often regarded as one of the oldest legislative assemblies still in operation across the globe.