Left-Green Movement

The Left-Green Movement (Vinstrihreyfingin - grænt framboð) is a left-wing, socialist, environmentalist, feminist and eco-socialist political party in Iceland.

It was founded in 1999 by a few members of Alþingi that did not approve of the planned merger of the left parties in Iceland that resulted in the founding of the Alliance (Samfylkingin). The Left-Green Movement focuses on socialistic values, feminism and environmentalism, as well as increased democracy and direct involvement of the people in the administration of the country. The party opposes Iceland's involvement in NATO and also the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. The party rejects membership of the EU and supports the Palestinian cause in the Middle East. It supports the mutual adaptation and integration of immigrants and Icelandic society is necessary.

The Left-Green Movement is a member of the Nordic Green Left Alliance.

The Left-Green Movement has about 3,000 members. The party chairman is Steingrímur J. Sigfússon, MP. The vice chairman is Katrín Jakobsdóttir, MP. The secretary-general of the party is Drífa Snædal.

In the 1999 parliamentary elections the Left-Green Movement took 9.1% of the vote and six seats in the Alþingi. It had five members in the 63-seat Icelandic parliament after the 2003 elections where it polled 8.8% of the vote. After the 2007 elections the party has 9 seats in parliament, having received 14,3% of the vote. The Left-Green Movement is in fact very special of it's kind. It's very unusual for a extreme green party to receive up to 15% in an election and up to 20% in polls.