Althingi, the Icelandic parliament, comes together today for the first time after its Christmas recess. The first session will be a questions and answers session at 13.30.
According to Althingi information, five MPs are registered to answer questions from other members: Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde, Minister for Education, Science and Culture Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Minister of Finance Arni M. Mathiesen, Minister for the Environment Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir and Minister of Trade Bjorgvin G. Sigurdsson.
Among other things, the parliamentary schedule includes discussions on insurance payments to organ donors, the proportion of women working in the financial sector and changes to the laws on social services.
Meanwhile, angry protesters plan to make their presence felt outside the parliament building – especially during the procession of MPs into the building following the traditional church service they will attend in the neighbouring Domkirkjan cathedral next to parliament before the debates begin.
Organisers of today’s special Monday protest encourage everybody in Iceland to stop working between 13.00 and 16.00 in support of the protest. Ideally, people are encouraged to use the three-hour break to go to parliament with drums, pots, pans and whistles to do all they can to disturb parliament’s opening session. As few as several hundred drummers can, it is hoped, make a huge amount of noise.
Protesters are angry at the dire financial situation Iceland finds itself in. They gather to demand new parliamentary elections and the resignation of the boards of the Central Bank of Iceland and the Competition Authority (FME).
I started to less and less understand the protesters. They had my full support in the begning. Not anymore. Those people just want “blood”. They want new election. Okay…But do we have, today the time to lose 1 or maybe 2 months to organize elections? This is precious time that we must not lost. Most of the people complaining just want the gouvernment out (for whom they voted)less than 2 years ago. They want revenge… If it happens what next ? Election ? the musical chair game ? People who have been opposing for opposing becomes “mainstrean”.. the “mainstream” ones become opposition and we end up with situation same situation as today. One of the thing that could be done would be to make a gouvernment of national union with representative from each political parties. It s time that all the political parties seriously work all together to clean up this mess, instead of trying to be in the spotlight!
Icelanders should sweap in front of their doorsteps, before sweaping the one of the Althingi. A self analysis would not be bad…
Where were you 2 years ago during elections ? where were you during the last ten years ? What did you do to prevent what happened today ? and what are you doing today to secure your future ?
If you don´t like plan A. What ´s your plan B ?
Unfortunately, during the last weeks we do not hear much about plan B. We mostly hear politicians that WANT the power like Golum wants the ring.
I underdstand that there is a need for change.
Revenge has never been a good solution.
Where did my comment go ?
Censure ?
As a fellow Icelander I’m behind you all the way. Wish I could be there to help protest. Hope everyone shows up for the protest. Icelanders you gave them power and you can take their power away too…..
Here an analysis of the Icelandic party system: http://www2.hu-berlin.de/for:n/details/2004_Rubart_01.pdf
>I started to less and less understand the protesters.
>Where were you 2 years ago during elections ? where were you during the last ten years ? What did you do to prevent what happened today ? and what are you doing today to secure your future ?
>If you don´t like plan A. What ´s your plan B ?
Unfortunately, during the last weeks we do not hear much about plan B. We mostly hear politicians that WANT the power like Golum wants the ring.
I agree 100% with that.
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/01/19/upheaval-calls-for-fleece-revolution-in-iceland/