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which benefits primarily their constituents. The party, therefore, has lost adherents
who have shifted their allegiance to the more aggressive Communist Party.
d. Communist Party - (Amalgamated Workers Party - The Socialist Party).
The Communist Party, organized in 1930, has a membership of about 1,500,
of which approximately 400 are active party workers. It has 10 seats in the Althing,
29 representatives on 13 city councils, and polled 13,049 votes in the 1946 election.
The party obtained its first Althing seats in 1938 when the diminishing radical-
ism of the Social Democrats caused the dissident left wing of that party to join the Com-
munists. The "new" party was called the "Amalgamated Workers Party - The So-
cialist Party", still the official designation of the Icelandic Communists. The growth
of this group is illustrated by the following table, showing Communist gains in terms
of popular vote and Althing seats in relation to the other parties.
REPRESENTATION IN TERMS OF PARLIAMENTARY SEATS AND PERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL VOTE
ELECTION YEAR
1934
1937
1942
1946
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
of vote
Seats
of
vote
Seats
of
vote
Seats
of vote
Seats
Communists
6.0
8.5
3
18.94
10
19.72
10
Conservatives
42.3
21
41.3
17
39.39
20
39.73
20
Progressives
21.9
15
24.9
19
27.18
15
22.64
13
Social Democrats
21.7
10
19.0
8
14.49
7
17.91
9
Agrarian *
6.4
3
6.1
2
Others
1.7
.2
* (Dissident right-wing group of Progressive Party formed in 1933.)
Communist influence in Iceland exceeds that inherent in the party's par-
liamentary representation and stems from several factors, the principal among them
being the Communists' strategic position in the trade union federation, (see Page I-7),
the important cabinet portfolios they have held, their participation in local administra-
tion at strategic points, and the delicate balance of power among the other parties.
During their participation in the cabinet, 1944-46, the Communists were able
to seat one of their members as Director of Aviation, and also appointed many teachers
who were Communists or Communist sympathizers. As these were permanent ap-
pointments, the Communists were able to retain influence after they withdrew from
the cabinet. The balance of power among the political parties results in a situation
whereby a coalition which excludes the Progressives or Conservatives would have little
prospect of success unless it included the Communists.
Icelandic youth contributes considerable support to the Communists, largely
because of disillusionment with the corruption of present party politics and secondly,
a desire for social reform which they feel the Communists can provide. Since Ice-
landers are having difficulty in disposing of their fish products and are deeply con-
I-6
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"ocrText": "which benefits primarily their constituents. The party, therefore, has lost adherents\nwho have shifted their allegiance to the more aggressive Communist Party.\nd. Communist Party - (Amalgamated Workers Party - The Socialist Party).\nThe Communist Party, organized in 1930, has a membership of about 1,500,\nof which approximately 400 are active party workers. It has 10 seats in the Althing,\n29 representatives on 13 city councils, and polled 13,049 votes in the 1946 election.\nThe party obtained its first Althing seats in 1938 when the diminishing radical-\nism of the Social Democrats caused the dissident left wing of that party to join the Com-\nmunists. The \"new\" party was called the \"Amalgamated Workers Party - The So-\ncialist Party\", still the official designation of the Icelandic Communists. The growth\nof this group is illustrated by the following table, showing Communist gains in terms\nof popular vote and Althing seats in relation to the other parties.\nREPRESENTATION IN TERMS OF PARLIAMENTARY SEATS AND PERCENTAGE\nOF TOTAL VOTE\nELECTION YEAR\n1934\n1937\n1942\n1946\nPercentage\nPercentage\nPercentage\nPercentage\nof vote\nSeats\nof\nvote\nSeats\nof\nvote\nSeats\nof vote\nSeats\nCommunists\n6.0\n8.5\n3\n18.94\n10\n19.72\n10\nConservatives\n42.3\n21\n41.3\n17\n39.39\n20\n39.73\n20\nProgressives\n21.9\n15\n24.9\n19\n27.18\n15\n22.64\n13\nSocial Democrats\n21.7\n10\n19.0\n8\n14.49\n7\n17.91\n9\nAgrarian *\n6.4\n3\n6.1\n2\nOthers\n1.7\n.2\n* (Dissident right-wing group of Progressive Party formed in 1933.)\nCommunist influence in Iceland exceeds that inherent in the party's par-\nliamentary representation and stems from several factors, the principal among them\nbeing the Communists' strategic position in the trade union federation, (see Page I-7),\nthe important cabinet portfolios they have held, their participation in local administra-\ntion at strategic points, and the delicate balance of power among the other parties.\nDuring their participation in the cabinet, 1944-46, the Communists were able\nto seat one of their members as Director of Aviation, and also appointed many teachers\nwho were Communists or Communist sympathizers. As these were permanent ap-\npointments, the Communists were able to retain influence after they withdrew from\nthe cabinet. The balance of power among the political parties results in a situation\nwhereby a coalition which excludes the Progressives or Conservatives would have little\nprospect of success unless it included the Communists.\nIcelandic youth contributes considerable support to the Communists, largely\nbecause of disillusionment with the corruption of present party politics and secondly,\na desire for social reform which they feel the Communists can provide. Since Ice-\nlanders are having difficulty in disposing of their fish products and are deeply con-\nI-6"
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