Announcement
May 9, 2025Proposals for amendments to the statutes
The Executive Board received four proposals for amendments to the statutes which will be presented to the Socialist Congress on May 24.
These are the following, numbered I., II., III. and IV:
I. APPOINTMENT OF SAMVISKAfrom the Executive Board
Provisions in the current organizational structure:
The Socialist Congress shall appoint a randomly selected committee of members, Samviska, whose role is to foster discussion and awareness of members' rights and duties, good working practices, good communication, respect for individuals and equality between individuals in the party's work, in addition to resolving disputes that may arise and fall outside the scope of the Executive Board ...
Proposed:
The Socialist Congress entrusts the Executive Board with randomly selectinga committee of members, Samviska, whose role is to foster discussion and awareness of members' rights and duties, good working practices, good communication, respect for individuals and equality between individuals in the party's work, in addition to resolving disputes that may arise and fall outside the scope of the Executive Board ...
II. ELECTION BOARDfrom the Election Board
Provisions in the current organizational structure:
Election Board
The Election Board manages the Socialist Party's candidacies for Althingi and municipal councils and is responsible for selecting candidate lists using methods approved at a general meeting or a member meeting, formulates election policy based on the party's policies, and conducts election campaigns for parliament and municipal councils.
Candidate lists shall be approved by the Socialist Congress or a member meeting, and election policy by a joint meeting of all party boards. The Election Board may form sub-groups and sub-boards to handle election monitoring, election management in individual constituencies and municipalities, and other groups if deemed necessary.
The Election Board shall manage political discourse on the party's website, train party spokespersons, organize political meetings, and engage in discussions about the Socialist Party's policy and priorities on a broad platform.
The Election Board is elected at the Socialist Congress and shall consist of 9 main members and 4 alternates. The Chairman of the Election Board is elected separately at a member meeting and is also the political leader of the party in the field of Althingi and municipal councils. Otherwise, the Election Board divides its tasks among itself, electing a vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer.
Within the Election Board operates a nine-member Nomination Committee for candidate lists, whose role is to propose candidate lists for parliamentary elections in all constituencies for approval by a member meeting.
The Nomination Committee nominates two responsible persons who are in charge of the committee.
The Nomination Committee is authorized to specifically propose leaders for candidate lists and/or the vanguard of the candidacy according to proposals from the Chairman of the Election Board, who is also the political leader of the candidacy.
Those who run for the Nomination Committee undertake not to run for the top five positions on candidate lists. The Nomination Committee is authorized to form sub-groups in individual constituencies and municipalities if deemed necessary.
The 2024 member meeting defined the mandate of the Nomination Committee at its election: „The Nomination Committee for the 2024 parliamentary elections is elected to arrange candidate lists in all constituencies and present them to a member meeting. The committee receives proposals from the political leader regarding the placement of the top three candidates in each constituency. The committee receives nominations for other positions from all party members and arranges candidates in all positions from the 4th position downwards. The committee presents proposals for a leadership team in one or more constituencies to a member meeting and completed lists as they become ready.“
Proposed that the following paragraphs be deleted:
Within the Election Board operates a nine-member Nomination Committee for candidate lists, whose role is to propose candidate lists for parliamentary elections in all constituencies for approval by a member meeting.The Nomination Committee nominates two responsible persons who are in charge of the committee.
and:
The 2024 member meeting defined the mandate of the Nomination Committee at its election: „The Nomination Committee for the 2024 parliamentary elections is elected to arrange candidate lists in all constituencies and present them to a member meeting. The committee receives proposals from the political leader regarding the placement of the top three candidates in each constituency. The committee receives nominations for other positions from all party members and arranges candidates in all positions from the 4th position downwards. The committee presents proposals for a leadership team in one or more constituencies to a member meeting and completed lists as they become ready.“
and that one word be removed from this paragraph:
Those who run for the Nomination Committee undertake not to run for the topfivepositions on candidate lists. The Nomination Committee is authorized to form sub-groups in individual constituencies and municipalities if deemed necessary.
One paragraph is added:
The Nomination Committee for candidate lists has the role of proposing candidate lists for parliamentary and municipal elections in all constituencies for approval by a member meeting.The section on the Election Board in the Organizational Structure will then be as follows:
The Election Board manages the Socialist Party's candidacies for Althingi and municipal councils and is responsible for selecting candidate lists using methods approved at a general meeting or a member meeting, formulates election policy based on the party's policies, and conducts election campaigns for parliament and municipal councils.
Candidate lists shall be approved by the Socialist Congress or a member meeting, and election policy by a joint meeting of all party boards. The Election Board may form sub-groups and sub-boards to handle election monitoring, election management in individual constituencies and municipalities, and other groups if deemed necessary.
The Election Board shall manage political discourse on the party's website, train party spokespersons, organize political meetings, and engage in discussions about the Socialist Party's policy and priorities on a broad platform.
The Election Board is elected at the Socialist Congress and shall consist of 9 main members and 4 alternates. The Chairman of the Election Board is elected separately at a member meeting and is also the political leader of the party in the field of Althingi and municipal councils. Otherwise, the Election Board divides its tasks among itself, electing a vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer.
The Nomination Committee for candidate lists has the role of proposing candidate lists for parliamentary and municipal elections in all constituencies for approval by a member meeting.
The Nomination Committee is authorized to specifically propose leaders for candidate lists and/or the vanguard of the candidacy according to proposals from the Chairman of the Election Board, who is also the political leader of the candidacy.
Those who run for the Nomination Committee undertake not to run for the top positions on candidate lists. The Nomination Committee is authorized to form sub-groups in individual constituencies and municipalities if deemed necessary.
III. REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONSfrom Jón Þór Sigurðsson on behalf of members in Norðausturkjördæmi
Provisions in the current organizational structure:
Cells and Member Board
The Socialist Party of Iceland 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, the Socialist Congress appoints a Member Board.
The Member Board operates „Cells“ which members in a specific residential area automatically belong to. The Member Board activates, supports, and shapes the work of the Cells according to needs. The Cells strengthen the party's ties with members and their local communities and shall strive to hold regular meetings and specifically welcome new members there. Cells shall also seek ways to recruit new members.
It is permitted to refer questions concerning the party's decisions to the Cells.
The Executive Board shall provide the Member Board with access to the membership register and regularly inform it about the registration of new members.
The Member Board is elected at the Socialist Congress and shall consist of 9 main members and 4 alternates. It divides its tasks among itself but shall have a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. The Socialist Congress may decide to allocate funds to the Member Board to cover costs such as meeting room rental and coffee refreshments. The Member Board shall then appoint a treasurer, who shall account for financial settlements to the treasurer of the Executive Board.
Proposed:
Regional Associationsand Member BoardRegional Associations shall be operated within the Socialist Party. A Regional Association shall never be smaller than one municipality and may cover several municipalities within a constituency. Regional Associations elect their own regional boards with a chairman, secretary, and treasurer. Regional Associations within a constituency shall form a constituency council whose role is to manage parliamentary elections. Members have voting rights and are members of the regional associations where they have legal domicile or residence but enjoy freedom of speech and the right to propose motions at meetings of all regional associations. Funding for regional associations shall take into account the number of members, projects, and the party's financial situation at any given time.
The Socialist Party of Iceland 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, the Socialist Congress appoints a Member Board.
The Member Board operates „Cells“ which members in a specific residential area automatically belong to. The Member Board activates, supports, and shapes the work of the Cells according to needs. The Cells strengthen the party's ties with members and their local communities and shall strive to hold regular meetings and specifically welcome new members there. Cells shall also seek ways to recruit new members.
It is permitted to refer questions concerning the party's decisions to the Cells.
The Executive Board shall provide the Member Board with access to the membership register and regularly inform it about the registration of new members.
The Member Board is elected at the Socialist Congress and shall consist of 9 main members and 4 alternates. It divides its tasks among itself but shall have a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. The Socialist Congress may decide to allocate funds to the Member Board to cover costs such as meeting room rental and coffee refreshments. The Member Board shall then appoint a treasurer, who shall account for financial settlements to the treasurer of the Executive Board.
IV. CONFIDENCE COUNCILfrom Roði
Provisions in current laws:Art. 3.Organizational structure of the association. The supreme authority of the Socialist Party of Iceland in the formulation and implementation of political policy is the annual Socialist Congress, which is further stipulated in the Organizational Structure. A member may at any time only serve on one elected board (Executive Board, Member Board, Campaign Board, Government Council, or Policy Board). A member's service on an elected board does not preclude them from serving on a randomly selected board (for example, Samviska, Election Committee, or Policy Groups). Nor does service on one randomly selected committee preclude service on another randomly selected committee. However, a committee member in Samviska shall recuse themselves from discussions on 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 each board and not hold chairmanship in each committee for more than eight years. A member who is not eligible for one board for these reasons remains eligible for other committees.
Proposed:Art. 3.Organizational structure of the association. The supreme authority of the Socialist Party of Iceland in the formulation and implementation of political policy is the annual Socialist Congress, which is further stipulated in the Organizational Structure. A member may at any time only serve on one elected board (Executive Board, Member Board, Campaign Board, Government Council, or Policy Board). A member's service on an elected board does not preclude them from serving on a randomly selected board (for example, Samviska, Election Committee, or Policy Groups).Nor does service on one randomly selected committee preclude service on another randomly selected committee. However, a committee member in Samviska shall recuse themselves from discussions on 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 each board and not hold chairmanship in each committee for more than eight years. A member who is not eligible for one board for these reasons remains eligible for other committees.A member of the Confidence Council may not serve on other party boards.
Provisions in the current organizational structure:
SamviskaThe Socialist Congress shall appoint a randomly selected committee of members, Samviska, whose role is to foster discussion and awareness of members' rights and duties, good working practices, good communication, respect for individuals and equality between individuals in the party's work, in addition to resolving disputes that may arise and fall outside the scope of the Executive Board. 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 public. 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 a draft Code of Ethics for approval at the Socialist Congress. Otherwise, Samviska shall use the Laws, Organizational Structure, and other written approvals of the party as a reference in its decisions, but shall also be guided by fairness, proportionality, and common sense. Its decisions shall be supported by objective viewpoints.
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 the Executive Board, Policy Board, Policy Groups, Member Board, and Election Committee: 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.
Proposed:
Confidence CouncilThe Confidence Council is the movement's trusted and oversight body. Its role is to resolve disputes that may arise between members. The Confidence Council shall advocate for good working practices, good communication, respect for individuals, and equality between individuals in the party's work.
Matters that the Confidence Council may need to address could, for example, concern alleged misconduct of board members in office or alleged inappropriate behavior of a member towards other members or in public. To the best of its ability, the Confidence Council shall try to mediate disputes. Submissions to the Confidence Council shall be sent to the email address: samviska@sosialistaflokkurinn.is, which only elected trustees shall have access to at any given time. However, submissions received by the Confidence Council through informal means shall also be addressed, and full confidentiality shall be maintained in sensitive matters.
The Confidence Council has the right of initiative to promote a healthy work culture within the movement, including through education, dialogues, and compromises. Otherwise, the Confidence Council shall use the Laws, Organizational Structure, and other written approvals of the party as a reference in its decisions, but shall also be guided by fairness, proportionality, and common sense. Its decisions shall be supported by objective viewpoints.
The board of the Confidence Council is composed of three main members and two alternates who are elected at the general meeting.
The Confidence Council may, as appropriate, apply the following remedies:
Towards members of boards, policy groups, and general members: Issue a written warning.
As a rule, members shall not be expelled from the party or office unless at least one warning has been issued, except in particularly serious cases.
To expel an individual from the party, the Confidence Council shall generally activate a randomly selected group of 30 people to review the matter and assess its validity. The individual concerned always has the right to respond to explain their side to the Confidence Council or the randomly selected group should the group be called upon. If all parties to the matter agree that the issue should be resolved confidentially, the matter shall be settled by the Confidence Council without the involvement of a randomly selected group. The member has the right to appeal the decision of their expulsion to the general meeting.
New proposal, inserted May 23:V. CAMPAIGN BOARDfrom the Executive Board
A temporary provision shall be added to the sectionCampaign Groups and Campaign Boardin the organizational structure:
The General Meeting of the Socialist Party 2025 shall appoint an interim board for the Campaign Board, which will be mandated to formulate proposals for amendments to the section of the party's organizational structure dealing with Campaign Groups and the Campaign Board. The interim board is also tasked with investigating how the Socialist Party can best support the formation, development, and reconstruction of public interest groups, especially those groups that lack financial strength to conduct advocacy and lack a voice in society. The interim board's proposals shall be presented to a follow-up general meeting in the autumn of 2025. The interim board shall consist of 9 main members and 4 alternates and operate in the same manner as other party boards. The board divides its tasks among itself, electing a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary.Rationale:
In recent years, several attempts have been made to revive the Campaign Board, without success. Now is the time to try again due to significant interest among members in running for boards. Therefore, this temporary provision is proposed for the party's Organizational Structure. A new board is tasked with formulating how the Socialist Party can best support the formation, development, and reconstruction of public interest groups, especially those groups that lack financial strength to conduct advocacy and lack a voice in society.