Editing Althing (section)

=== Republic ===
The union with Iceland was effectively made inoperable when the Kingdom of [[Denmark in World War II|Denmark was occupied by Germany]] on 9 April 1940. On the following day, the Althing passed two [[Resolution (law)|resolutions]], investing the Icelandic cabinet with the power of [[Head of State]] and declaring that Iceland would accept full responsibility for both [[foreign policy]] and coastal surveillance. A year later, the Althing adopted a law creating the position of Regent to represent the Crown. This position continued until the Act of Union was repealed, and the Republic of Iceland established, at a session of the Althing held at [[Þingvellir]] on 17 June 1944.

In 1959, the system of electoral districts was changed completely. The country was divided into eight constituencies with proportional representation in each, in addition to the previous eleven equalization seats. The total number of members elected was 60. In 1968, the Althing approved the lowering of the [[voting age]] to 20 years. A further amendment to the Constitution in 1984 increased the number of members to 63 and reduced the voting age to 18 years. Further major changes were introduced in the Althing in May 1991: the two chambers, by that point having identical election methods and identical membership, were merged into a single chamber, thus introducing [[unicameralism]]. By a constitutional amendment of June 1999, implemented in May 2003, the constituency system was again changed. The number of constituencies was cut from eight to six; constituency boundaries were to be fixed by law. There are currently twelve standing committees.<ref name="ath"/>