This is a decision that I have made after careful consideration, and I informed the chairmen of the governing parties about this today, said Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.
The reason is that, according to Benediktsson, there are differences of opinion on a number of issues among the governing parties, including asylum and energy policy. The differences have grown during the autumn, he believes.
Iceland's coalition government consists of the Green Left, the conservative Independence Party, and the centre-right-oriented Progressive Party.
The Independence Party and the Progressive Party are also said to be dissatisfied with statements made by the Green Left's party leader Svandis Svavarsdottir without consulting her government partners.
Benediktsson, who leads the Independence Party, has previously been Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
New elections are planned to be held on November 30.
Bjarni Benediktsson has led the country since April, when former Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir chose to resign to run in the presidential election in June.
