ELECTORAL PRIOIRITIES
OF THE INDEPENDENCE PARTY
SECURE BORDERS SAFE SOCIETY
SMALLER STATE LOWER INTEREST RATES
The Independence Party will bring about stability, lower inflation and lower interest rates. We will reduce the scope of state involvement by means of responsible government and necessary improvements. We will use the proceeds from the sale of state assets to pay off debts.
- We will cut the number of government agencies from 160 to 100.
- We will reduce government spending and adopt spending rules.
- We will sell state assets and pay off debts.
- We will put contracts out to tender – not all projects need to be carried out by the state.
- We will innovate in all government sectors.
- We will use new technology and artificial intelligence to improve and optimise services.
- We will amend the legislation governing civil servants to ensure greater flexibility.
- We will merge existing ruling boards, reducing superstructure and costs.
MORE HOUSES CHEAPER HOUSING
The Independence Party pursues a policy of private property and will remove the obstacles preventing people from owning their own homes. This means building more homes faster and more efficiently. Our policies also benefit those who wish to own and rent. Balancing the housing market also helps bring down inflation and interest rates.
- We will break new ground and oblige municipal authorities to ensure a sufficient supply of building land, in line with the increase in population.
- We will reduce building costs, simplify building regulations and raise VAT refunds on construction-site work.
- We will expand the permissible growth boundaries of Greater Reykjavik. We will amend the Planning Act and remove the City of Reykjavik’s veto.
- We will turn South-West Iceland into a single business area with extensive development of transport infrastructure.
LOWER TAXES LIGHTER BURDEN
The Independence Party wants to give households a helping hand. We want to cut red tape, reduce taxes and leave more money in people’s pockets. We will help people to help themselves and support those in need.
- We will scrap stamp duty on the purchase of residential property by individuals.
- We will extend the tax-free use of private pension savings for mortgages and raise the caps.
- We will help people with children by granting ISK 150,000 in annual tax credit for each child under the age of three.
- We will allow parents to transfer up to ISK 2 million of their private pension savings to the value of their mortgage or their children’s private pension savings, tax-free.
- We will halve the inheritance tax and quadruple the free-income threshold to ISK 20 million.
- We will raise free income for capital gains tax to ISK 500,000 – we need to stop taxing inflation.
- The highest tax bracket should be based on twice the average income.
SECURE BORDERS SAFE SOCIETY
Under the leadership of the Independence Party, Iceland has succeeded in taking control of its borders. The number of applications for international protection has fallen dramatically and deportations have increased. We will ensure continued control of our borders and make Iceland a safe place for everybody with stronger law enforcement.
- We will increase staffing in the police and reserve forces by around 200.
- We will combat organised crime and terrorist threats.
- We will set up safe accommodation facilities and analysis centres at borders.
- We will deport people receiving international protection who have committed a serious offence.
- We will return everybody arriving from a safe country within 7 days.
- We will increase public security with further amendments to the Foreign Nationals Act and the Police Act.
GREEN ENERGY BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE
The Independence Party will greatly expand green energy generation and ensure enough energy for households and businesses. Icelandic green energy is the cornerstone of our economic success. Expanding energy generation will guarantee the nation’s energy security and the continued rise in living standards.
- We will review the framework programme and simplify licensing procedures.
- We will ensure electricity security for households and small businesses.
- We will greatly expand power generation and speed up the development of power plants.
- We will make sure that everybody can sell electricity into the system.
- We will greatly improve the transmission system.
- We will ensure a balance between harnessing energy and protecting nature.
BETTER EDUCATION MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Equal opportunities for all are essential for progress and welfare. Countries that succeed in education have more opportunities and a higher standard of living. The Independence Party therefore pledges a major overhaul of the education system.
- We will reinstate standardised tests. We will set clear goals for better performance in PISA and literacy.
- We will bring in a new, more useful general curriculum, greatly improve study materials, and innovate using education technology and artificial intelligence.
- We will guarantee freedom of choice – funds should follow the student, regardless of the type of education model.
- There should be fewer but better universities, placing quality of education and the needs of students at the forefront of their work.
- Click here to find out more about the Independence Party’s priorities in education.
EFFECTIVE HEALTHCARE NEW SOLUTIONS
We want a healthcare system run for the people, and not for the system itself, where services are provided promptly and are accessible to everybody, regardless of their financial situation. The Independence Party wants greater innovation and more diverse types of management, helping to provide better service.
- We will strengthen our human resources, by attracting people back to Iceland after study abroad by offering tax incentives.
- We will ensure better access to mental health services with simpler subsidy systems and technological innovation.
- We will bring in service insurance – who provides the service is not important, as long as the service is good and accessible to everybody, regardless of their financial situation.
- We will finish work on the new hospital.
- The National University Hospital of Iceland in Fossvogur will become a geriatric hospital.
- Financial incentives for healthcare professionals working in rural areas.
- We will promote healthcare centres as the first point of contact.
- We will encourage individual initiative and innovation in health technology.
- We will launch public-health campaigns and achieve measurable results.
AN INDEPENDENT NATION PROTECTING OUR SOVEREIGNTY
The Independence Party seeks to protect Iceland’s sovereignty, independence and security and further ensure its economic independence through free trade and better access to international markets.
- Iceland should remain outside of the EU, but strengthen cooperation within the EEA.
- We will enter into more free-trade agreements with other countries.
- We will continue to work closely with our NATO allies.
- We will protect Iceland’s resources and nature.
A THRIVING ECONOMY ICELAND, LAND OF INNOVATION
A strong business environment is essential for progress and welfare. The Independence Party wants to make Iceland an attractive place to set up and run a business. This requires stability, modest taxation and simple regulation.
- We will streamline Icelandic legislation, removing all domestic obstacles.
- We will scrap the obligation for equal-salary certification.
- We will simplify regulation, removing obstacles that may hinder people and businesses.
- We will continue to ensure that innovative companies are competitive, by means of a favourable tax environment.
- We will respect the freedom and self-determination of farmers and encourage innovation and diversity.
- We will ensure stability in the production of Icelandic seafood products.
- We will improve quality in tourism and ensure visitors to Iceland enjoy a positive experience, managing pressure and spreading tourism throughout the country.
- We will strengthen the foundations for culture and the creative disciplines.
GROWING OLDER POSITIVELY OLD AGE FREE OF WORRY
The Independence Party attaches great importance to ensuring that senior citizens are financially independent and to promoting their well-being. We will allow senior citizens who wish to work and are physically able to work to do so.
- We will scrap stamp duty on the purchase of residential property by individuals.
- We will make retirement flexible – retirement should be based on interest and skills, not age.
- We will increase free income of social security old-age pension to ISK 350,000 a month, thereby helping people to help themselves.
- We will enable people to live longer at home – diverse and flexible day-care facilities ensure greater security and less social isolation.
- Efforts will be made to reduce cutbacks and increase the general free-income threshold for old-age pensions.
RELIABLE INFRASTRUCTURE EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION
Reliable transport infrastructure is essential for a dynamic economy and flourishing rural areas. It is important for the economy and for quality of life to ensure more efficient transportation throughout the country.
- We will speed up the improvement and development of transport infrastructure across Iceland and empower municipalities to set up public transport associations.
- We will finance the development of transport infrastructure in a variety of ways and in cooperation with the private sector.
- We will ensure diverse value creation throughout Iceland, all year round, with improved winter services.
- We will turn South-West Iceland into a single business area with extensive development of transport infrastructure.
FAMILY THE CORNERSTONE OF SOCIETY
It can be challenging to bring a new life into the world and start a family. The Independence Party will lighten the burden of people with children by providing support that makes a difference.
- We will help people with children by granting ISK 150,000 in annual tax credit for each child under the age of three.
- We will increase support for fertility treatment, prioritising funds and supporting people on their journey to parenthood.
- We will ensure that higher maternity/paternity-leave benefits find their way to everybody on maternity/paternity leave and give parents greater freedom in how they divide up such leave.
Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn
Háaleitisbraut 1
105 Reykjavík
xd@xd.is
s. 515-1700