In Iceland's election, political stability again at stake

FILE PHOTO: Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir leaves Downing Street after attending a reception hosted by Britian's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ahead of the NATO summit in Watford, in London, Britain, December 3, 2019. Alastair Grant/Pool via REUTERS

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Icelanders started voting on Saturday in an election that could have a messy outcome with a record nine parties likely to enter parliament, making it difficult to find common ground on topics like climate change and healthcare.

The North Atlantic island of 371,000 citizens has seen a period of stability since 2017 under the ruling left-right coalition, after years of political scandals and distrust of politicians following the 2008 financial crisis.