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Iceland vote: Centre-right opposition wins election | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Centre-right opposition parties in Iceland are set for a return to power with nearly all votes counted after Saturday's parliamentary election. | |
The Independence party has 26% and the Progressive party 24%, putting them on track to win nearly 40 of the 63 seats. | |
The ruling Social Democrats are trailing with around 13%. | |
It is a dramatic comeback for the parties widely blamed for Iceland's economic meltdown in 2008. | |
Iceland saw its prosperity evaporate, as the country's three banks collapsed, and the Social Democrats came to power a year later, with a programme of austerity tailored to international lenders' requirements. | Iceland saw its prosperity evaporate, as the country's three banks collapsed, and the Social Democrats came to power a year later, with a programme of austerity tailored to international lenders' requirements. |
'New investments' | 'New investments' |
"The Independence party has been called to duty again," said leader Bjarni Benediktsson, who looks likely to become prime minister. | |
"We've seen what cutbacks have done for our healthcare system and social benefits ... now it's time to make new investments, create jobs and start growth," he said. | "We've seen what cutbacks have done for our healthcare system and social benefits ... now it's time to make new investments, create jobs and start growth," he said. |
"I'm very pleased," said Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, leader of the Progressive party, as results came in. | "I'm very pleased," said Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, leader of the Progressive party, as results came in. |
The centre-right camp has promised debt relief and a cut in taxes. | |
The two parties are also seen as Eurosceptic, and their poll success could slow down Iceland's efforts to become a member of the European Union. | |
The Eurosceptics argue that Iceland already gets most of the benefits of full membership through existing free trade arrangements with the EU and by being part the Schengen visa-free travel zone. | The Eurosceptics argue that Iceland already gets most of the benefits of full membership through existing free trade arrangements with the EU and by being part the Schengen visa-free travel zone. |
Many Icelanders have become frustrated with the outgoing Social Democrat government, saying that its austerity policies were too painful. | Many Icelanders have become frustrated with the outgoing Social Democrat government, saying that its austerity policies were too painful. |
A number of smaller parties have performed well, including Bright Future, which looks set to enter parliament with six seats and the computer activist Pirate party, with three. | |
The Social Democrats are on course for nine seats and the Left-Greens seven. | |