Southwest () is one of the six multi-member constituencies of the Althing, the national legislature of Iceland. The constituency was established in 2003 following the re-organisation of constituencies across Iceland when the Reykjanes constituency was split between the new South and Southwest constituencies. Southwest is conterminous with the Capital region but excludes Reykjavík Municipality which has its own constituencies, Reykjavík North and Reykjavík South. The constituency currently elects 12 of the 63 members of the Althing using the open party-list proportional representation electoral system. At the 2024 parliamentary election it had 79,087 registered electors.
History In September 1997 Prime Minister Davíð Oddsson appointed a committee headed by Friðrik Klemenz Sophusson to review the division of constituencies in Iceland and the organisation of elections. The committee's report was published in October 1998 and recommended, amongst other things, that the number of constituencies be reduced and that they be more equal in population size. The Althing passed an amendment to the constitution in June 1999 which removed the reference to specific eight constituencies contained within Article 31 and instead simply stated that there would be six or seven constituencies and that the Althing would determine the boundaries between the constituencies. The amendment also required that if, following an election to Althing, the number of registered electors per seat (including compensatory seats) in any constituency is less than half of that in another constituency, the National Electoral Commission shall change the allocation of seats so as to reduce the imbalance.
Southwest was one of six constituencies () established by the "Elections to the Althing Act no. 24/2000" () passed by the Althing in May 2000. The Act initially allocated 11 seats to the constituency - nine constituency seats and two compensatory seats. The number of seats allocated to Southwest was increased to 12 (ten constituency and two compensatory) in May 2003, 13 (11 constituency and two compensatory) in May 2013 and 14 (12 constituency and two compensatory) in October 2021.
Electoral system Southwest currently elects 12 of the 63 members of the Althing using the open party-list proportional representation electoral system. Constituency seats are allocated using the D'Hondt method. Compensatory seats (equalisation seas) are calculated based on the national vote and are allocated using the D'Hondt method at the constituency level. Only parties that reach the 5% national threshold compete for compensatory seats.
Election results Summary Election Left-GreenV / U Social DemocratsS People'sF PirateP / Þ ViðreisnC ProgressiveB IndependenceD CentreM Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats2024 987 1.54% 0 12,324 19.27% 3 7,014 10.97% 1 1,778 2.78% 0 12,829 20.06% 3 3,792 5.93% 0 14,997 23.45% 3 7,689 12.02% 22021 7,087 12.09% 1 4,748 8.10% 1 4,436 7.57% 1 4,853 8.28% 1 6,684 11.40% 1 8,520 14.54% 2 17,727 30.25% 4 2,612 4.46% 02017 7,591 13.62% 2 6,771 12.15% 1 3,616 6.49% 0 4,641 8.33% 1 5,277 9.47% 1 4,425 7.94% 1 17,216 30.89% 4 5,282 9.48% 12016 6,378 11.97% 1 2,532 4.75% 0 1,742 3.27% 0 7,227 13.56% 2 6,857 12.86% 1 44,062 7.62% 1 18,049 33.86% 5 2013 3,995 7.86% 1 6,932 13.64% 2 2,541 5.00% 0 10,944 21.53% 3 15,608 30.71% 4 2009 8,473 17.40% 2 15,669 32.17% 3 5,627 11.55% 1 13,463 27.64% 3 2007 5,232 11.55% 1 12,845 28.37% 3 3,250 7.18% 1 19,307 42.64% 5 2003 2,671 6.24% 0 14,029 32.75% 4 6,387 14.91% 1 16,456 38.42% 4 (Excludes compensatory seats.)
Detailed 2020s 2024 Results of the 2024 parliamentary election held on 30 November 2024:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 14,997 23.45% 3 1 4 Viðreisn C 12,829 20.06% 3 0 3 Social Democratic Alliance S 12,324 19.27% 3 0 3 Centre Party M 7,689 12.02% 2 0 2 People's Party F 7,014 10.97% 1 1 2 Progressive Party B 3,792 5.93% 0 0 0 Socialist Party of Iceland J 1,820 2.85% 0 0 0 Pirate Party P 1,778 2.78% 0 0 0 Left-Green Movement V 987 1.54% 0 0 0 Democratic Party L 728 1.14% 0 0 0Valid votes 63,958 100.00% 12 2 14Blank votes 570 0.88% Rejected votes – other 31 0.05% Total polled 64,559 81.63% Registered electors 79,087
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Alma Möller (S), 12,217.17 votes; Bergþór Ólason (M), 7,580.00 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 14,451.88 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 11,324.75 votes; Eiríkur Björn Björgvinsson (C), 8,579.67 votes; Guðmundur Ari Sigurjónsson (S), 10,272.83 votes; Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson (F), 7,008.00 votes; Nanna Margrét Gunnlaugsdóttir (M), 5,786.50 votes; Sigmar Guðmundsson (C), 10,640.50 votes; Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir (D), 12,660.50 votes; Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (C), 12,698.83 votes; and Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir (S), 8,166.00 votes. Compensatory seats - Jónína Björk Óskarsdóttir (F), 5,262.00 votes; and Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir (D), 9,373.62 votes.
2021 Results of the 2021 parliamentary election held on 25 September 2021:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 17,727 30.25% 4 0 4 Progressive Party B 8,520 14.54% 2 0 2 Left-Green Movement V 7,087 12.09% 1 0 1 Viðreisn C 6,684 11.40% 1 1 2 Pirate Party P 4,853 8.28% 1 1 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 4,748 8.10% 1 0 1 People's Party F 4,436 7.57% 1 0 1 Centre Party M 2,612 4.46% 0 0 0 Socialist Party of Iceland J 1,738 2.97% 0 0 0 Liberal Democratic Party O 203 0.35% 0 0 0Valid votes 58,608 100.00% 11 2 13Blank votes 1,095 1.83% Rejected votes – other 117 0.20% Total polled 59,820 81.17% Registered electors 73,699
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Ágúst Bjarni Garðarsson (B), 6,377.75 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 17,548.75 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 13,301.38 votes; Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson (V), 7,035.33 votes; Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson (F), 4,431.00 votes; Jón Gunnarsson (D), 15,421.50 votes; Óli Björn Kárason (D), 11,089.00 votes; Willum Þór Þórsson (B), 8,508.50 votes; Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (C), 6,582.25 votes; Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (P), 4,833.00 votes; and Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir (S), 4,683.33 votes. Compensatory seats - Gísli Rafn Ólafsson (P), 3,639.50 votes; and Sigmar Guðmundsson (C), 5,032.00 votes.
2010s 2017 Results of the 2017 parliamentary election held on 28 October 2017:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 17,216 30.89% 4 0 4 Left-Green Movement V 7,591 13.62% 2 0 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 6,771 12.15% 1 0 1 Centre Party M 5,282 9.48% 1 0 1 Viðreisn C 5,277 9.47% 1 1 2 Pirate Party P 4,641 8.33% 1 0 1 Progressive Party B 4,425 7.94% 1 0 1 People's Party F 3,616 6.49% 0 1 1 Bright Future A 846 1.52% 0 0 0 People's Front of Iceland R 75 0.13% 0 0 0Valid votes 55,740 100.00% 11 2 13Blank votes 1,261 2.20% Rejected votes – other 254 0.44% Total polled 57,255 82.33% Registered electors 69,544
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 16,738.00 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 15,056.75 votes; Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson (M), 5,184.00 votes; Guðmundur Andri Thorsson (S). 6,759.67 votes; Jón Gunnarsson (D), 12,851.50 votes; Jón Þór Ólafsson (P), 4,624.00 votes; Ólafur Þór Gunnarsson (V), 5,672.75 votes; Óli Björn Kárason (D), 10,784.12 votes; Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir (V), 7,580.75 votes; Willum Þór Þórsson (B), 4,405.67 votes; and Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (C), 5,116.25 votes. Compensatory seats - Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson (F), 3,611.33 votes; and Jón Steindór Valdimarsson (C), 3,972.25 votes.
2016 Results of the 2016 parliamentary election held on 29 October 2016:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 18,049 33.86% 5 0 5 Pirate Party P 7,227 13.56% 2 0 2 Viðreisn C 6,857 12.86% 1 1 2 Left-Green Movement V 6,378 11.97% 1 0 1 Bright Future A 5,458 10.24% 1 1 2 Progressive Party B 4,062 7.62% 1 0 1 Social Democratic Alliance S 2,532 4.75% 0 0 0 People's Party F 1,742 3.27% 0 0 0 Dawn T 893 1.68% 0 0 0 People's Front of Iceland R 103 0.19% 0 0 0Valid votes 53,301 100.00% 11 2 13Blank votes 1,197 2.19% Rejected votes – other 169 0.31% Total polled 54,667 80.11% Registered electors 68,240
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 17,778.60 votes; Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (D), 16,152.90 votes; Eygló Harðardóttir (B), 3,894.67 votes; Jón Gunnarsson (D), 14,342.70 votes; Jón Þór Ólafsson (P), 7,211.00 votes; Óli Björn Kárason (D), 12,603.90 votes; Óttarr Proppé (A), 5,449.00 votes; Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir (V), 6,373.67 votes; Vilhjálmur Bjarnason (D), 10,771.90 votes; Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (C), 6,300.50 votes; and Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (P), 5,412.00 votes. Compensatory seats - Jón Steindór Valdimarsson (C), 5,268.25 votes; and Theodóra S. Þorsteinsdóttir (A), 4,090.00 votes.
2013 Results of the 2013 parliamentary election held on 27 April 2013:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 15,608 30.71% 4 1 5 Progressive Party B 10,944 21.53% 3 0 3 Social Democratic Alliance S 6,932 13.64% 2 0 2 Bright Future A 4,687 9.22% 1 0 1 Left-Green Movement V 3,995 7.86% 1 0 1 Pirate Party Þ 2,541 5.00% 0 1 1 Dawn T 1,927 3.79% 0 0 0 Households Party I 1,838 3.62% 0 0 0 Iceland Democratic Party L 1,241 2.44% 0 0 0 Right-Green People's Party G 925 1.82% 0 0 0 Rainbow J 188 0.37% 0 0 0Valid votes 50,826 100.00% 11 2 13Blank votes 1,091 2.10% Rejected votes – other 131 0.25% Total polled 52,048 82.45% Registered electors 63,125
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Árni Páll Árnason (S), 6,843.8 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 14,868.7 votes; Eygló Harðardóttir (B), 10,879.2 votes; Guðmundur Steingrímsson (A), 4,664.7 votes; Jón Gunnarsson (D), 12,470.0 votes; Katrín Júlíusdóttir (S), 5,201.5 votes; Ögmundur Jónasson (V), 3,901.3 votes; Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir (D), 13,969.2 votes; Vilhjálmur Bjarnason (D), 10,751.8 votes; Willum Þór Þórsson (B), 9,098.5 votes; and Þorsteinn B. Sæmundsson (B), 7,307.7 votes. Compensatory seats - Birgitta Jónsdóttir (Þ), 2,527.7 votes; and Elín Hirst (D), 9,142.7 votes.
2000s 2009 Results of the 2009 parliamentary election held on 25 April 2009:
Party Votes % Seats Social Democratic Alliance S 15,669 32.17% 3 1 4 Independence Party D 13,463 27.64% 3 1 4 Left-Green Movement V 8,473 17.40% 2 0 2 Progressive Party B 5,627 11.55% 1 0 1 Citizens' Movement O 4,428 9.09% 1 0 1 Liberal Party F 741 1.52% 0 0 0 Democracy Movement P 302 0.62% 0 0 0Valid votes 48,703 100.00% 10 2 12Blank votes 1,519 3.02% Rejected votes – other 93 0.18% Total polled 50,315 86.45% Registered electors 58,202
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Árni Páll Árnason (S), 15,243.9 votes; Bjarni Benediktsson (D), 13,075.1 votes; Guðfríður Lilja Grétarsdóttir (V), 8,304.7 votes; Katrín Júlíusdóttir (S), 13,561.4 votes; Ögmundur Jónasson (V), 6,285.5 votes; Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir (D), 9,965.1 votes; Siv Friðleifsdóttir (B), 5,259.0 votes; Þór Saari (O), 4,410.0 votes; Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (D), 10,900.6 votes; and Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir (S), 10,859.1 votes. Compensatory seats - Jón Gunnarsson (D), 8,460.6 votes; and Magnús Orri Schram (S), 9,930.9 votes.
2007 Results of the 2007 parliamentary election held on 12 May 2007:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 19,307 42.64% 5 1 6 Social Democratic Alliance S 12,845 28.37% 3 1 4 Left-Green Movement V 5,232 11.55% 1 0 1 Progressive Party B 3,250 7.18% 1 0 1 Liberal Party F 3,051 6.74% 0 0 0 Icelandic Movement – Living Country I 1,599 3.53% 0 0 0Valid votes 45,284 100.00% 10 2 12Blank votes 611 1.33% Rejected votes – other 94 0.20% Total polled 45,989 84.25% Registered electors 54,584
The following candidates were elected: