Voting Determinants and Electoral Behavior in Iceland The Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis

This article examines the structural determinants of voting behavior within the framework of Iceland’s traditional four-party political landscape, with a specific focus on the transformative effects of the 2008 financial crisis. Using data from the Icelandic National Election Studies (ICENES), we analyze individual socio-economic characteristics and preferences regarding public policies, particularly economic policy, that influence voting patterns. Our study combines an exploration of long-term voting trends with an analysis of how the crisis affected the size and composition of party electorates. Through logistic regression analysis, we identify key predictors of electoral behavior and document significant changes in Iceland’s political landscape after the crisis. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between economic crises and electoral behavior, shedding light on how such crises can reshape political cleavages and voter allegiances.