Centre left coalition wins Iceland elections
A centre-left coalition is set to take over power in the country
Also In The News
|
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Manchester United to an incredible 5-2 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford. |  |
Sunday, 26, Apr 2009 12:03
A coalition of left-leaning parties has won Iceland's general election.
The polls were called after the resignation of the right wing Independence party in January in the wake of massive protests following the collapse of the Scandinavian country's banking system.
With 98 per cent of votes cast, the Social Democratic party has won 30 per cent of votes cast while the Left-Green movement has secured 21 per cent of the vote.
The parties are set to form a left-leaning coalition government in a country as voters turned against the right leaning Independence party which has been blamed for the country's economic turmoil.
The 66-year-old Social Democratic Alliance's female leader Johanna Sigurdardottir, who led the country's interim government, is almost certain to be the country's next prime minister.
In a speech to crowds earlier in the day, she said: "I believe this will be our big victory.
"I am touched, proud and humble at this moment when we are experiencing this great, historic victory of the social democratic movement."
Ms Sigurdardottir has promised to take the country into the European Union as soon as possible.