Iceland began the work to form a new ruling coalition after opposition Social Democrats won Saturday’s elections on the Atlantic island.

Iceland's opposition Social Democrats were ahead in vote counting on Sunday after a snap election prompted by the collapse of the fraught coalition government.With the ballots of more than half of eligible voters counted,

The Social Democrats have had “a positive day” as they look set to grow their representation in the Dail parliament. Party leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a baby girl on polling day, is well placed to retain her seat in the highly competitive constituency of Cork South-West.