The Pirate Party has gained unprecedented and rapid momentum with Icelandic voters for the last two years, frequently lending their voice in public media holding seats both in parliament and in municipality of Reykjavik.
In the most current Gallup poll from January the Pirates measure as the biggest party in government in in Iceland, if Icelanders were to hold parliamentary elections now it appears it would be the Pirate Party deciding whom to form a government with. They measure with 35,3% support, roughly one third of the countries vote while the two parties currently governing would have 36% support with the Progressive Party having roughly 12% of the vote and the Independent Party holding approximately a fourth of the vote. Support with the current government seems to decrease about 3% each month according to polls. The Pirates have gained some force in Europe, mostly in Sweden, Germany and Czech Republic, but in terms of the prospect of taking over a government of a country, Iceland seems to be the place. Parliamentary elections in Iceland are to be held in April 2017.
PM and chairman of the Progressive Party Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlausson and Birgitta Jónsdóttir of the Pirate Party have engaged in fierce disputes this passing week, brewing grey silver as the Icelandic saying goes. Mr. Gunnlaugson mocking the Pirates in his speeches, accusing them of having no clear objective or vision and Mrs Jónsdóttir in turn stating that she feels ashamed having him in the PM´s office and is counting the days until he is out of office.
According to their website The Pirate Party International (PPI) is a non-governmental, not for profit organisation. Formed in 2010, it serves as a worldwide organisation for Pirate Parties, representing members from 42 countries and rising. The Pirate Parties are political manifestations of the freedom of expression movement, trying to achieve their goals by the means of the established political system rather than through activism.
(Image credit goes to Kvennablaðið, image shows the three Pirates currently seated in the Icelandic legislative assembly, Ásta Helgadóttir, Birgitta Jónsdóttir and Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson)