Iceland’s outgoing government, led by Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, has granted whaling licenses for the next five years, allowing for the hunting of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales annually. This decision has drawn criticism from animal welfare organizations and comes as Benediktsson faces defeat in recent elections. A coalition opposing whaling is expected to take power, but retracting the licenses may invite legal challenges. The move is viewed as a political gesture rather than a significant economic strategy, as demand for whale meat in the country has diminished.