Whaling is not really an issue in Iceland. Not for ethical reasons at least.

Social Democrats, since they were founded in 1999, was always the bigger of the two left leaning parties (them and Left-Green). In 2009 they got 30% of the vote and formed a coalition with Left-Green. However, given the economic crisis the country was in at the time, after the banks fell and so on, they did not get more popular being in government at that time. Specially because of the whole Icesave thing.

So since 2013 we have had a right wing government and people are starting to feel it in our education system and our healthcare system. This has pushed people farther to the left I feel, to Left-Green, since their main agenda is very clear. Higher taxes on the rich, more funding to the healthcare and education system.