According to the latest poll, the Progressive Party would lose half of their parliamentarians from Reykjavík in Alþingi, the parliament, if we had elections today.

The party has only two parliamentarians in Reykjavík. The chairman, Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, and Vigdís Hauksdóttir.

And that happens when public confidence in, and the popularity of, the left wing government is at an all-time low. And the Progressive Party is in the opposition.

The other party, the Independence Party, would be the winner, getting a third of the votes.

Why would the Progressive Party lose so much support in Reykjavík, when we have such an unpopular government?

a) They have a chairman who is not up to the task. Narrow minded, and nationalistic—not a good cocktail.

b) The party has been progressive and liberal through its history. The first major party to talk positively about Iceland joining the European Union—15 years ago. Now it’s inward-looking and nationalistic. Bad.

c) The party policy is not for the educated and young professional urban population of the capital area, where three quarters of the republic’s population lives. Their support is in the country.

d) And they have maybe the world’s worst parliamentarian, Vigdís Hauksdóttir, here in Reykjavík. Unbelievable.

It can be very depressing to listen to Vigdís Hauksdóttir.

But there is light. Last week HönnunarMars, DesignMarch, was held for the fourth time.

Bigger and better than ever.

We have great designers and artists.

The atmosphere in the capital was filled with creativity—all over.

Great exhibitions, seminars and shows. With lectures from artists like Hjalti Karlsson, Koert van Mensvoort, Tuomas Tolvonen and Marije Vogelzang.

Next weekend the 3rd Reykjavík Fashion Festival will be held. Designers like Mundi, Kalda, Hildur Yeoman, -Break-, Kron by KronKron, Ýr and Kormákur & Skjöldur will hold a show at Harpa.

So there are a lot of positive things happening in creative Reykjavík.

A stark contrast to the politics and politicians of Republic of Iceland. 

Páll Stefánsson – ps@icelandreview.com