2016-08-13theguardian.com

One of Europe's most radical political parties is expected to gain its first taste of power after Iceland's ruling coalition and opposition agreed to hold early elections caused by the Panama Papers scandal in October.

The Pirate party, whose platform includes direct democracy, greater government transparency, a new national constitution and asylum for US whistleblower Edward Snowden, will field candidates in every constituency and has been at or near the top of every opinion poll for over a year.

As befits a movement dedicated to reinventing democracy through new technology, it also aims to boost the youth vote by persuading the company developing Pokémon Go in Iceland to turn polling stations into Pokéstops.

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Propelled by public outrage at what is widely perceived as endemic cronyism in Icelandic politics and the seeming impunity of the country's wealthy few, support for the party -- which hangs a skull-and-crossbones flag in its parliamentary office -- has rocketed.



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