Changes to the structure of Sósíalistaflokksins: More decentralization of power

Sósíalistaþing 2021 approved changes to the party's Skipulag, which forms the basis for the operations of Sósíalistaflokksins along with the party's Lög. The changes aim to further increase decentralization of power within the party, clarify the roles of individual committees and boards, build a consultation platform between boards, and limit board tenure to ensure renewal within these core party structures.

The Skipulag is based on the fundamental idea that the grassroots never relinquish power over policy-making, the ranking of candidate lists, and other crucial elements. This work is carried out by general members at Sósíalistaþing and in randomly selected groups between congresses. This applies to Málefnahópar, Samviska, and Kjörnefnd. In addition to these groups, five boards operate within the party, each performing its own tasks and all independently seeking mandates from the grassroots at Sósíalistaþing. No board is superior to another. Furthermore, the aim is to build Sellur in districts, towns, rural areas, and other settlements where members connected to different boards, groups, and committees of the party meet and thereby connect with all party activities in their local area. Sósíalistaflokkurinn is thus a multi-core grassroots movement that a small leadership cannot subjugate.

Main changes:

The main changes to the Skipulag are as follows:

Policy committees are called ráðuneyti and form a special board, Stjórnarráð, thus becoming an independent unit within the party.
Action groups that have operated within the party (Ungir sósíalistar, Verkalýðsráð, Innflytjendaráð, Öryrkjaráð, Sósíalískir femínistar and Meistaradeildin) form an independent board, whose role is to strengthen these action groups and increase the number of similar groups. This work will become an independent unit within the party and derives its mandate from the groups themselves and Sósíalistaþing.
The role of Framkvæmdastjórn is clarified in the party's Lög, but it is also defined in the Skipulag so that the party's structure can be understood by reading the Skipulag alone.
Three joint committees of boards are introduced; Umsjónarnefnd Sósíalistaþings, Laga- og gagnanefnd, Fjárhagsráð and Kjörstjórn.
Kjörstjórn was previously appointed by a randomly selected Kjörnefnd but is here moved under the party's elected boards.
The tenure of members on individual boards is limited, and the eligibility of members is clarified.

Here is the newly approved Skipulag with the above changes:

SKIPULAG

Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands aims to be a powerful mass movement of the public and actively participate in its struggle for freedom, equality, equal rights, and human dignity in all areas of society. The purpose of the following Skipulag is to promote democracy, transparency, and decentralization of power in the party's work, ensuring it is both powerful and worthy of its goals. No political movement is immune to problems such as clique formation, secrecy, and concentration of power, and the Skipulag is also intended to curb these.

Equality shall always be a guiding principle in the party's work, whether in the work of boards or in the implementation of random selection, and randomly selected groups shall be composed equally of genders. The Skipulag has the status of party Lög.

Sósíalistaþing

Sósíalistaþing sets the political direction of Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands based on proposals from Málefnahópar, and other party institutions derive their mandate from it regarding policy formulation and implementation. A majority of votes cast at Sósíalistaþing decides matters, with attending members having voting rights.

Sósíalistaþing shall be held at least annually and is simultaneously the venue for the annual Aðalfundur, as described in the Lög. Sósíalistaþing may decide to postpone the continuation of Aðalfundur activities until a specified date within the operating year as often as deemed necessary.

Sósíalistaþing is authorized to organize an open agenda, invite speakers from outside the party to address the meeting, and utilize other opportunities to make Sósíalistaþing a public event that draws attention to the activities of Sósíalistaflokkurinn.

As a rule, Framkvæmdastjórn shall be responsible for the execution of Sósíalistaþing (convening, promotion, provision of premises, agenda setting, etc.), but Málefnastjórn, Stjórnarráð, Félagastjórn, Baráttustjórn, and Samviska are also authorized to convene Sósíalistaþing on their own initiative if there is cause, and in such cases, Framkvæmdastjórn shall assist them.

As specified in the Lög, Sósíalistaþing may convene an Aukaaðalfundur, and the rules of the Aðalfundur shall apply to it.

Framkvæmdastjórn

Framkvæmdastjórn manages the party's Lög, Skipulag, and structure, and handles all party matters not specified in the Lög, Skipulag, or resolutions of Sósíalistaþing as being the responsibility of other boards or groups within the party. Framkvæmdastjórn oversees the random selection of Kjörnefnd and Samviska and supports the work of these groups. Framkvæmdastjórn monitors the development of work within the party and intervenes if boards become dysfunctional, and ensures that their work complies with the party's Lög, Skipulag, and resolutions of Sósíalistaþing.

Framkvæmdastjórn manages the work of collaborative groups such as Umsjónarnefnd Sósíalistaþings, where chairpersons and secretaries of all boards hold seats; Laga- og gagnanefnd, where secretaries of all boards sit; and Fjárhagsráð, which all treasurers appoint in addition to people responsible for fundraising.

Málefnahópar and Málefnastjórn

To support the party's policy-making, Málefnastjórn operates, and it is responsible for the implementation of policy-making work between and under the mandate of Sósíalistaþing. Málefnastjórn appoints randomly selected groups of members ("Málefnahópar") who draft policies in specific policy areas. Málefnastjórn shall support the work of Málefnahópar with advice and action and strive to ensure good working practices and quality outcomes from their work.

The election of Málefnastjórn takes place at Sósíalistaþing. It shall consist of 9 main members and 4 alternates. The board divides its own tasks and shall appoint a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. The chairperson convenes meetings. Framkvæmdastjórn shall assist Málefnastjórn as needed but shall not interfere with its work beyond what is approved at Sósíalistaþing.

Ráðuneyti and Stjórnarráð

Once a policy has been approved, a seven-member board of a ráðuneyti shall be formed for each issue. The boards of the ráðuneyti consist of three representatives from randomly selected Málefnahópar and four representatives chosen at Sósíalistaþing or member meetings.

The role of the ráðuneyti is to maintain discussion on the respective issue within the party, hold meetings on the issue, promote the policy externally, attract people to participate and work, and prepare for the revision of the respective policy by a new randomly selected Málefnahóp by gathering experience and knowledge relevant to the issue for the party.

The board of each ráðuneyti shall elect a chairperson, secretary, and spokesperson, if deemed necessary. The chairperson of each ráðuneyti, called a ráðuneytisstjóri, works with the supreme board of the ráðuneyti, called Stjórnarráð, to build up the ráðuneyti and transfer good experience between them. Stjórnarráð operates under the mandate of Framkvæmdastjórn until the ráðuneyti number at least ten and their work has gained experience. Thereafter, Stjórnarráð and the ráðuneyti are an independent unit within the party that reports to Sósíalistaþing.

Sellur and Félagastjórn

Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands strives to maintain the strongest possible ties with its members and support them in regular activity and responsible tasks within the party. To fulfill this role, Sósíalistaþing appoints Félagastjórn.

Félagastjórn operates "Sellur" to which members in a specific residential area automatically belong. Félagastjórn activates, supports, and shapes the work of the Sellur as needed. The Sellur strengthen the party's ties with members and their local communities and shall strive to hold regular meetings and particularly welcome new members there. Sellur shall also seek ways to recruit new members.

It is permitted to refer questions concerning the party's decisions to the Sellur.

Framkvæmdastjórn shall grant Félagastjórn access to the membership register and regularly inform it about the registration of new members.

Félagastjórn is elected at Sósíalistaþing and shall consist of 9 main members and 4 alternates. It divides its own tasks but shall include a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. Sósíalistaþing may decide to allocate funds to Félagastjórn to cover costs such as meeting room rental and refreshments. In such a case, Félagastjórn shall appoint a treasurer, who shall submit financial statements to the treasurer of Framkvæmdastjórn.

Baráttuhópar and Baráttustjórn

Members of Sósíalistaflokkurinn are permitted to establish independent Baráttuhópar such as Unga sósíalista, Sósíalíska femínista, Meistaradeild, Verkalýðsráð, Innflytjendaráð, and Öryrkjaráð. These groups are independent and operate according to their own policy statements, able to pass resolutions in their own name but not in the name of the party itself.

Everyone is permitted to establish Baráttuhópar, but authorization for their establishment must be sought from Framkvæmdastjórn. Each group must appoint a board of at least five members, and members of Sósíalistaflokkurinn shall sit on the board. It shall consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and one or more co-directors, and these roles shall connect to the party's Baráttustjórn (chairperson, vice-chairperson), the party's Fjárhagsráð (treasurer), and the party's Laga- og gagnanefnd (secretary).

The party's Baráttustjórn is the liaison between the Baráttuhópar and Sósíalistaþing and other party boards, and supports the Baráttuhópar in their work and development. Baráttustjórn consists of the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of all Baráttuhópar that have received authorization to operate, and the board members elect their own chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. Baráttustjórn is independent and does not report to other party boards but is accountable to the grassroots at Sósíalistaþing.

Samviska

Sósíalistaþing shall appoint a randomly selected committee of members, Samviska, whose role is to foster discussion and awareness of members' rights and and duties, sound working practices, good communication, respect for individuals, and equality among individuals in the party's work, as well as to resolve disputes that may arise and fall outside the scope of Framkvæmdastjórn. Such matters may, for example, concern alleged misconduct of board members in office or alleged inappropriate behavior of a member towards other members or in a public forum. Submissions to Samviska shall be sent to the email address: samviska@sosialistaflokkurinn.is

Samviska is authorized to initiate dialogue with members about its work, purpose, and standards, and may submit drafts of Siðareglur for approval at Sósíalistaþing. Otherwise, Samviska shall use the party's Lög, Skipulag, and other written resolutions as a reference in its decisions, but shall also be guided by fairness, proportionality, and common sense. Its decisions shall be supported by objective considerations.

Samviska is authorized to seek opinions from experts and look for examples elsewhere on how best to achieve its goals and ensure successful resolution of disputes.

Samviska may, as appropriate, apply the following remedies:

Towards members of Framkvæmdastjórn, Málefnastjórn, Málefnahópar, Félagastjórn, and Kjörnefnd: Issue a written warning, remove from office, and/or expel from the party. Towards members: Issue a written warning and/or expel from the party. As a rule, members shall not be expelled from the party unless at least one warning has been issued.

30 committee members shall be selected for Samviska, and its meetings shall be considered legal with 10 of them present.

Candidacy, elected representatives, Kjörnefnd and Kjörstjórn

The decision on the candidacy of Sósíalistaflokkurinn for parliamentary or municipal elections shall be made by Sósíalistaþing or with its clear mandate. A Kjörnefnd, composed of randomly selected members, shall then commence its work, responsible for appointing candidate lists and subsequently for the party's communication with elected representatives. 30 committee members shall be appointed to Kjörnefnd. Meetings shall be considered legal if 10 of them are present.

Kjörnefnd shall approve a more detailed elaboration of its working methods for appointing lists and communicating with candidates. During random selection for the Kjörnefnd for Alþingiskosningar, care shall be taken to ensure that representatives from all constituencies sit on the committee.

The party's Kjörstjórn is composed of representatives from all its boards; Framkvæmdastjórn, Málefnastjórn, Félagastjórn, Baráttustjórn, and Stjórnarráð once those boards have commenced their work. Kjörstjórn works with Kjörnefnd and presents to it the arrangements for the election campaign.

Eligibility for board membership

A member may at any time only sit on one elected board (Framkvæmdastjórn, Félagastjórn, Baráttustjórn, Stjórnarráð, or Málefnastjórn). A member's tenure on an elected board does not preclude them from sitting on a randomly selected board (for example, Samviska, Kjörnefnd, or Málefnahópar). Nor does sitting on one randomly selected committee preclude sitting on another randomly selected committee. However, a committee member in Samviska shall recuse themselves from discussions concerning disputes to which they are a party, and Samviska shall decide whether it is necessary for the individual to withdraw entirely from the committee.

Each member shall not serve as a main member and alternate for more than twelve years on any board, and shall not hold the chairmanship of any committee for more than eight years. A member who is not eligible for one board for these reasons remains eligible for other committees.