Iceland's coalition govt could retain power after election

Iceland’s coalition government appeared likely to continue after voters rallied around the political center in a volatile parliamentary election

REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland’s coalition government appeared likely to continue after voters rallied around the political center in a volatile parliamentary election.

The outcome may become historic: The incoming members of parliament were 54% women on Sunday morning, when nearly all votes had been counted. If the number holds, Iceland’s Althing parliament will have a female majority for the first time.

Polls had suggested a victory for left-leaning parties in the unpredictable election, which saw 10 parties competing for the Althing’s 63 seats.

Instead, the center-right Independence Party took the largest share of votes, and there were big gains for the centrist Progressive Party.