Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn - The Independence Party

The Independence Party is the biggest political movement in Iceland. Registered members are close to 50 thousand. Yearly, a great number of men and women from the ages of 15 and up participate in the parties operation through over 100 local party divisions.

Work within the Independence Party revolves around politics. It is varied, as politics revolve around ideas, actions and people.

The party policy is the grounding for the party's stance on each matter. Its core is the faith in freedom of the individual and equal opportunity for all to grow and reap the fruits of their talent. The independence and safety of the nation is also an important facet of the party policy. The freedom to operate and act for both individuals and corporations must be ensured, even though it is an important part of freedom that it comes with responsibility and care must be taken. The party greatly emphasises the need to support those that are in need and that we have a strong safety net in our society.

The coalition of young Independence Party members works on the matters of young people within the party, and many charters are operated throughout the country. The association of female Independence Party members has also been operated for many years, and the coalition of elder party members works in the interest of seniors.

The party policy is in constant formation. Everyone who so wishes can participate in the varied party activities, and can influence its course. Within the party fifteen different subject committees operate and regularly held open meetings and events.

The party recently completed its national convention in March 2009 that was thrown under the slogan "Let's get to work." At the convention, the party honestly came to terms with the crash of the Icelandic banks and financial sector and also laid down the lines for the future. The party emphasises that the restrictive and tax-raising policies of the current government are not the way out of the recession and that we should rather trust in private enterprise and the power that resides within individuals.

April 6th 2009