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Parliament name (generic / translated) Althingi / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral POLITICAL SYSTEM Type of political regime parliamentary Notes The President of the Republic is the Head of State with limited powers only. Head of the executive Prime Minister Notes The Prime Minister is the Head of the executive. Together with the cabinet, he or she exercises most executive functions. Method for appointing the executive The political party or parties that form a majority government divide the ministerial portfolios between them. Thereafter, each party decides on what individuals will serve in their respective posts. The leader of the party to which the office of Prime Minister is assigned becomes Prime Minister. The President is directly elected by the people. He appoints ministers and discharges them, and determines their number and assignments (Article 15 of the Constitution). Term of office of the executive and coincidence with the term of the legislature The President's term of office begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July four years later (Article 6 of the Constitution). The election of the President takes place in June or July of the year in which a term of office expires. The President's term does not coincide with the term of the legislature. Incompatibility of the functions of member of the executive and member of Parliament No The members of the government can be, and usually are, parliamentarians. Dissolution of Parliament Yes Circumstances The President may dissolve the parliament before the end of its term (Article 24 of the Constitution). While the power of dissolution rests formally with the President, in practice, it is the Prime Minister who has this power. There is no special tradition regarding the circumstances under which the Prime Minister may dissolve the parliament, and ultimately, this remains a political decision. Also, proposals to amend or supplement the Constitution may be introduced at regular as well as extraordinary sessions of the parliament (Article 79 of the Constitution). Modalities If the proposal is adopted, the parliament is immediately dissolved and a general election held. A new election must take place within 45 days from the announcement of the dissolution, and the parliament convenes not later than ten weeks after its dissolution. The parliament was dissolved in 1991 and 1995 because of adopted amendments to the Constitution. However, the timing of the dissolution coincided with the end of the parliament's regular term. ACCOUNTABILITY Accountability of Government to Parliament Yes The President may not be held accountable for his or her acts (Article 11 of the Constitution). However, ministers are accountable for all executive acts (Article 14 of the Constitution). Both collective and individual accountability can apply. Modalities of oversight Oral and written questions of parliamentarians Government accountability to the parliament is brought into play by putting questions to ministers. Government reports to Parliament Government accountability to the parliament is brought into play by government policy statements, but with no votes thereon. Measures Vote of confidence on Government programs and/or legislative proposals Not applicable Motions of censure and votes of no confidence (sub-report) Circumstances There is no established practice for tabling a motion of no confidence against the government or an individual minister. Modalites The motion of no confidence does not require a qualified majority. Consequences If a motion is adopted, the minister against whom the motion is directed resigns. If a motion is directed against the Prime Minister, it is most likely that the whole cabinet would resign. During the period 1990 to 2001, no motions were tabled. Dismissal and/or impeachment of Government and other public officials (sub-report) Circumstances and persons concerned The President may not be prosecuted on a criminal charge except with the consent of the parliament (Article 11 of the Constitution). Ministers are accountable for all executive acts, and the parliament may impeach ministers on account of their official acts. Modalites and procedure The court of impeachment has the competence to try ministers. The President may be removed from office if approved by a majority in a plebiscite called pursuant to a resolution adopted by three fourths of the members of the parliament. This plebiscite is held within two months from the date of adoption of the resolution by the parliament. The President may not perform his duties from the time the resolution is adopted by the parliament until the results of the plebiscite are known. Consequences If the resolution by the parliament is not approved in the plebiscite, the parliament is immediately dissolved and new elections are called. Otherwise, the President is removed from office. The President may decide that the prosecution for an offence by ministers be discontinued if there are strong reasons. However, he may not absolve a minister from prosecution or from a punishment imposed by the court of impeachment, unless so approved by the Parliament. Have these procedures been applied? OVERSIGHT OVER THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION Oversight over the actions of the Government administration Yes Ministers are accountable for all executive acts (Article 14 of the Constitution). Both collective and individual accountability may apply. Means and modalities of oversight Hearings in Committees The parliament may grant authority to investigation committees to request reports, oral or written, from officials as well as from individuals. Committees of inquiry and missions to Government departments The parliament may appoint committees of its members in order to investigate important matters of public interest (Article 39 of the Constitution). The parliament may grant authority to such committees to request reports, oral or written, from officials as well as from individuals. Oral and written questions of parliamentarians Parliamentarians can put oral and written questions to government ministers. A parliamentarian submits a question to the speaker, who will then decide whether it will be allowed or not. If the question is accepted, it is printed and distributed among parliamentarians and sent to the minister in question. The parliamentarian states whether he desires an oral or written answer. If an oral answer is preferred, the minister normally answers the question in the parliament within eight working days. If a written answer is preferred, the minister will normally send his answer to the parliament within 10 working days. At a previously decided meeting, the speaker may put up to half an hour aside as question time for ministers. After a brief question has been raised and answered, other parliamentarians have the opportunity to give their brief comments. Also, parliamentarians may request an emergency debate and the speaker may put aside up to half an hour for such a debate. Role of Parliament in the appointment of senior Government officials Not applicable Activity reports of the Government administration and of public services or establishments Nine parliamentarians may request a report from a minister on a matter of public interest. The request is submitted to the speaker and put to a vote in the parliament. If the request is granted, the speaker informs the minister in question. When the minister has completed his report, it is printed and distributed to all parliamentarians at a plenary meeting. Should the minister or any other party to the request for a report so desire, the report is placed on the agenda for a debate in which the minister introduces the report. Representation of Parliament in governing bodies of the Government administration The parliament appoints members to the governing bodies and boards of different institutions under the executive. Existence of an ombudsman Yes Method for appointing the executive The Ombudsman is elected by the parliament for a term of four years and he may be released from his duties if two thirds of the members of the parliament vote to dismiss him Relationship to Parliament After his election, the Ombudsman exercises his activity independently. The Ombudsman's role is to safeguard the rights of the citizens and to monitor the administration of the state and local authorities. He or she reports annually to the parliament on his or her work during the preceding calendar year. The printed report is published before 1 September each year. BUDGETARY OVERSIGHT Consultation of Parliament in the preparation of the national budget Yes The chairman and vice-chairman of the parliament's budget committee follow the preparation of the national budget by virtue of their membership on the state finance committee, which also includes key officials from the finance ministry. Modalities of oversight Examination of the budget / finance act by Parliament A budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, containing a report on the revenue and expenditure of the state, is submitted to each regular session of the parliament upon it being convened (Article 42 of the Constitution). As with any other proposed legislation, the budget bill is given three readings in the parliament. During the first reading, the minister of finance reports to the parliament on the budget bill, and during the other two readings, the bill is debated. Reports on the budget / finance act by Committees The budget committee debates the budget and issues its opinion. Fields overseen Defence budget There is no national defence budget. Budget of special departments The budget committee can call for information about the finances of special departments. Role of Parliament in national development plans Not applicable Parliament's deadline for the examination and adoption of the budget / finance act The budget bill is submitted on 1 October each year and must be adopted before the start of the next year. Consequences of failure by Parliament to adopt the budget / finance act If the parliament fails to pass the budget before the next year, it has to give its approval for all expenditure decisions until the budget bill has been passed. Budgetary autonomy of Parliament No The parliament does not have its own budget. OVERSIGHT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BUDGET AND OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING Evaluation of Government spending Parliament approves Government expenditures annually Yes Not applicable Parliamentary oversight of public companies Yes The financial accounts of the state, its institutions and administrative bodies, are subject to an audit by, or under the supervision of, the parliament (Article 43 of the Constitution). Modalities of oversight Body for auditing the Government's books and method for appointing The national audit bureau is independent of the executive and answers to the parliament. Reports of the public auditor's office The national audit bureau reports to the parliament two to four times a year. These reports are studied by the parliament's budget committee. Specialised committee The ministry of finance submits budget reports to the parliament. OVERSIGHT OVER FOREIGN POLICY Foreign Relations Committee (sub-report) Functions of the Committee The foreign relations committee's role and functions are to advise the government on major foreign policy issues. Powers of the Committee The government is under no obligation to place such matters before the committee, whether the parliament is in session or not. Composition of the Committee The composition of the committee reflects the numerical strength of each party in the parliament. Bilateral visits of Parliament, inter-parliamentary conferences and information missions abroad The parliament exercises oversight over foreign policy through bilateral visits, participation in inter-parliamentary conferences and information missions abroad. Plenary debates on foreign policy issues The parliament exercises oversight over foreign policy by organising plenary debates on foreign policy issues, usually twice per session. Involvement of Parliament Participation of Parliament in inter-governmental meetings This form of participation has not been regular, but in instances when the parliament has a particular interest, it can take the initiative to send delegations to intergovernmental meetings. Modalities and procedures for ratifying international treaties and agreements (sub-report) The President concludes treaties with other States (Article 21 of the Constitution). However, he may not make such treaties if they entail renouncement of, or servitude on, territory or territorial waters, or if they require changes in the state system. This last condition involves any amendment of national law. Any agreement necessitating an amendment to national law does thus require parliamentary ratification. The government puts many international agreements, such as free trade agreements, to the parliament for political reasons, although it is not required to do so by law. Other mechanisms for participation in foreign policy by Parliament The foreign affairs committee is the primary instrument of the parliament in foreign affairs. Besides delegations to inter-parliamentary organisations, foreign affairs issues are also raised during foreign visits at the speaker level. OVERSIGHT OVER NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY National Defence Committee (sub-report) Functions of the Committee Parliament exercises oversight over defence policy through the foreign affairs committee. Powers of the Committee The government is however under no obligation to place such matters before the committee, whether the parliament is in session or not. Composition of the Committee The composition of the committee reflects the numerical strength of each party in the parliament. Parliamentary oversight of public arms manufacturing companies Not applicable Circumstances and involvement Modalities and procedures in case of war, an armed attack or a state of emergency Not applicable Role of Parliament in sending troops abroad Not applicable Other mechanisms for participation in national defence policy by Parliament There is no military and no arms manufacturing companies in Iceland. However, parliamentarians do debate security matters in inter-parliamentary forums, such as the NATO parliamentary assembly, or others. STATE OF EMERGENCY Circumstances There are no clauses in the Constitution or law about how and under what circumstances a state of emergency may be declared. According to tradition, it may be assumed that this power rests with the Prime Minister. Can parliament take the initiative to declare a state of emergency No Consequences of a state of emergency for Parliament Not applicable VERIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY AND THE APPLICATION OF LAWS Modalities of oversight Body ruling on the constitutionality of laws The courts The courts rule on the constitutionality of laws. Means and procedures A party to a case contests the law before a court, which will then evaluate the validity of the law in question. Evaluation of laws No Not applicable Measures

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