In Iceland’s recent political history, the emergence of Solidarity (Icelandic: Samstaða) stands out as a moment when a new party briefly caught public imagination. Launched on 15 January 2012, it was the product of a political landscape still in flux after the financial crisis of 2008.
A bid for unity and openness
The origins of Solidarity can be traced to Lilja Mósesdóttir, an economist who had entered parliament in 2009 for the Left-Green Movement (Vinstrihreyfingin, grænt framboð). In autumn 2011, she left her former party, citing differences, and soon after took part in founding Samstaða alongside Sigurður Þ. Ragnarsson. Their aim was to shape a political movement that did not subscribe to traditional left, right or centre labels. Solidarity’s declared goal was to use legislation to create greater social unity and equality, stating it was open to perspectives from all sides.
Despite only having one member of parliament, Lilja herself, Solidarity captured attention. Early polls in 2012 suggested that over one in five Icelanders supported the fledgling party, briefly positioning it as the second most popular in the country after the established Independence Party. This enthusiasm reflected a wider search at the time for new political solutions.
From promise to inactivity
Changes in leadership soon followed. In October 2012, Birgir Örn Guðjónsson, a police officer from Hafnarfjörður, was elected chairman at a party national meeting. He succeeded Lilja, who continued to play a central role. By late 2012, Lilja announced that she would not seek re-election for parliament in the coming year.
Solidarity’s parliamentary chapter was brief. The party chose not to stand candidates in the 2013 elections, instead declaring an intention to focus on influencing public debate. Nevertheless, Lilja resumed her position as chairman in February 2013, with Rakel Sigurgeirsdóttir as vice-chairman. The party remained registered with the list letter C, but as political events moved forward, Samstaða’s active role faded. Since 2014, there have been no further developments, and it is now considered inactive.
Solidarity’s story is a snapshot of a specific period in Icelandic politics, when traditional lines blurred and new experiments briefly captured the national mood.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
