Sometimes the easiest way to win an election is to promise everything you can imagine—including to not keep your promises.
How tired can people really get of their government?
Apparently, enough to elect comedians and artists to govern them. In 2010, a joke political party called "the Best Party"won 34.7% of the city vote inReykjavik, Iceland. Their founder, comedian Jon Gnarr, was made mayor.
As part of their campaign, they made a series of increasingly absurd campaign promises. In order to stop the insidious and secret corruption in Icelandic government, they vowed to be openly corrupt.
They also promised iron walls around all homes in Reykjavik, polar bears for the zoo, free bus rides and dental work for children and the disabled, and free access to swimming pools. The last thing they promised is to not follow through on any of their campaign promises—that way, they felt they could promise anything they wanted.
Since the 2010 election, the Best Party has seemed to take a more serious interest in governance. As a whole, the party is center-left, and they have sent three people, including Mayor Jon Gnarr, to stand for election to the Icelandic Parliament.
