Parliamentary elections were held in Iceland on 13 June 1971.[1] Although the Independence Party remained the largest party in the Lower House of the Althing, winning 15 of the 40 seats,[2] Independence Party leader Jóhann Hafstein resigned as Prime Minister the day after the elections as his party and its coalition partners had failed to win a majority of seats.[3]Ólafur Jóhannesson of the Progressive Party succeeded him as Prime Minister, announcing the formation of a new coalition government on the same day.[3] The new government's programme included expanding Icelandic fishing borders from 19 to 80 kilometers and gradually closing down Naval Air Station Keflavik but remaining committed to NATO membership.[3]
