A Political and Economic Dictionary of Western Europe, First Edition
The Independence Party, or Sjálfstædisflokkurinn (SSF), is the liberal conservative party in Iceland. Founded in 1929 through a merger of the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party, it is the largest political party in Iceland today. The party aims to promote individual and corporate initiative and pursues a policy of reducing taxation. It promotes welfare, particularly for families and the elderly, and aims to maintain high levels of employment and education. SSF has governed in coalitions for 44 of the last 58 years. In the most recent elections, held on 10 May 2003, the party won 33.5% of the vote and 22 seats in the 63-seat Althingi. It now governs in coalition with the Progressive Party. Party leader David Oddsson was Prime Minister in 1991–2004. He relinquished office to Halldór Ásgrímsson of the Progressive Party on 15 September 2004 as part of the 2003 coalition agreement.
Party Leader: David Oddsson
Address: Valhöll, Háaleitisbraut 1, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: (0)5151700
Fax: (0)5151717
E-mail: xd@xd.is
Internet: www.xd.is
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