The 157th legislative session of the Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, formally came to a close on June 19, when Speaker of Parliament Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir adjourned the final parliamentary sitting shortly after 5 pm.
The session ran from September 9 to December 18, 2025, and resumed from January 14 until June 19, 2026. During that period, lawmakers debated hundreds of bills, resolutions, and parliamentary inquiries.
What’s the Story?
Original source: Vísir
- 157th legislative session concluded on June 19
- 105 of 188 bills passed into law
- EU membership referendum debate lasted more than 58 hours
Parliamentary Statistics
Among the measures approved on the final day were a bill from the Centre Party on driving licence validity periods, government legislation concerning foreign purchases of land, and amendments to stamp duty laws.
Parliament also completed debate and voting on the new Directorate of Industries, which will be created through the merger of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST), the Directorate of Fisheries, and the Fresh Fish Price Directorate.
According to figures compiled by the Alþingi Secretariat, parliament held 131 sittings lasting a combined 844 hours and 21 minutes across 114 sitting days. The average sitting lasted six hours and 23 minutes, while the longest continued for 13 hours and 27 minutes.
The longest single debate concerned a proposed referendum on whether Iceland should continue negotiations on membership of the European Union. That debate lasted a total of 58 hours and 16 minutes.
Of the 188 bills introduced during the session, 105 became law, while 83 remained unresolved and one was rejected. Of 95 parliamentary resolutions submitted, 22 were approved and 73 remained unfinished when parliament adjourned.
Lawmakers also submitted 32 written reports. Sixteen requests for reports were directed to ministers, and four oral ministerial reports were delivered.
A total of 399 parliamentary questions were submitted. Thirty-one were oral questions, of which 21 received answers. One was withdrawn and another lapsed following ministerial changes. Of 368 written questions, 269 were answered, 15 lapsed because of ministerial changes, and 84 remained unanswered when the session ended.
In total, parliament considered 729 parliamentary matters and produced 1,460 printed parliamentary documents. Ministers faced 267 spontaneous questions, while 19 special debates were held. Standing committees met 500 times during the session.
Under the parliamentary calendar, the opening of the 158th legislative session is scheduled for September 8.
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