Latest talks to form government in Iceland collapse

LONDON – Iceland’s president says attempts to form a government have collapsed, with the leader of the largest left-of-centre party admitting defeat in coalition talks.

Left-Green Movement leader Katrin Jakobsdottir has told President Gudni Johannesson that she could not reach an agreement with other parties.

The biggest party in parliament, the centre-right Independence Party, had earlier failed to assemble a majority coalition.

Johannesson told reporters Friday that he would not offer any party leader a third chance. He said lawmakers in Iceland’s parliament should meet to find a way to form a government.

If they fail, Iceland could face its second election this year. Voters went to the polls Oct. 29 in an election called after the prime minister resigned amid protests over his offshore holdings, revealed in the Panama Papers leak.