Iceland misses opportunity to elect first female majority parliament in Europe

History was almost made in Iceland, with the country narrowly failing to elect the first female majority parliament in European history

After intial reports that women had won 33 of the available 63 seats, equating to 52% of the total parliament, a recount found this to be incorrect.

It’s now been confirmed by election officials that women have been victorious in 30 of the available seats, or 47.6% of parliament.

This means that no European nation has yet been successful in reaching a 50% female majority.

Sweden is currently in equal place at 47%, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Whilst some of the country’s parties have female representation quotas, Iceland as a whole does not enforce legal requirements.

Nonetheless, Iceland is considered to be a leader in gender equality and gender politics being ranked the most gender-equal nation in the world for the 12th year running by the World Economic Forum this year.