New City Council majority introduced at Viðey

Hildur Björnsdóttir of the Independence Party, Einar Þorsteinsson of the Progressive Party, and Björg Magnúsdóttir of the Liberal Reform Party presented the new majority outside Viðey House at 11:10 a.m. today. The local leaders noted that negotiations went smoothly and a strong sense of goodwill prevails within the group, which formally takes office at the June 2 City Council meeting.

Hildur Björnsdóttir will serve as mayor, Einar Þorsteinsson as Chair of the City Executive Council for one year, and Björg Magnúsdóttir as president of City Council. Björg and Einar will swap roles on June 1, 2027. Hildur also proposed appointing Ari Edwald, chair of the Center Party, as board chair of Orkuveitan, the City's energy utility.

Presented this morning, the three-party coalition agreement outlines 16 total commitments:

• We will advertise for partner sites to collaborate on operating preschools or daycare services.
• We will set measurable goals to improve school operations and build a top-tier school system.
• We will initiate discussions with the national government and neighboring municipalities to review the capital area's Transportation Charter, focusing on its funding and implementation timeline.
• We will review the proposed land-use plan for the Suðurlandsbraut area alongside stakeholders.
• We will reassess the planned changes to the Höfðabakki intersection.
• We will partner with residents and businesses to shorten paid parking hours in the city center.
• We will revise existing planning for new neighborhoods in Keldnaland and Úlfarsárdalur, while beginning to plan future communities in Kjalarnes, Geldingarnes, Gufunes, and Grandi.
• We will extend swimming pool hours until 10 p.m.
• We will pursue efficiencies and administrative reforms across City administration to increase effectiveness and reduce waste.
• We will pilot a waste collection tender in one city neighborhood to lay the groundwork for a citywide competitive procurement process.
• We will map sports clubs' facility and funding needs to better prioritize projects and ensure equitable treatment.
• We will strengthen support services for children within the City's schools.
• We will ensure all children can participate in organized sports and leisure activities.
• We will offer low-income older adults a 60,000 ISK annual Recreational Voucher.
• We will reduce property taxes on residential and commercial properties.
• We will protect and expand the city's green spaces and launch a major tree-planting initiative. This coalition agreement will take a different form than those of previous terms.

Hildur stated that the full coalition agreement will appear as a public project list, allowing residents to track scheduled actions at verkefnalisti.is. The website goes live on June 2 when the new City Council takes office.