Sigmundur Ernir Runarsson, Social Democrat MP, accused the Progressive Party of contempt for women after its MPs are alleged to have criticised Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir; saying that she lets others write her speeches and has been home baking while Icesave has been on the agenda.
“Progressive Party MPs have repeatedly and haughtily stood at the Althingi rostrum saying that Johanna Sigurdardottir, the Prime Minister, is either at home baking when the Icesave bill comes up for discussion, or that she lets others write her speeches, which are also, apparently, lifeless and boring,” Runarsson said on his blog site.
In Monday’s parliamentary debate on the Icesave bill, Progressive Party leader Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson accused the Prime Minister of not having a clue about Icesave – Landsbanki’s failed savings arm in the UK and Netherlands which the Icelandic nation is now being asked to reimburse.
“I find it totally unacceptable that in this, probably the most economically important issue to come before Althingi, that the Prime Minister of Iceland should come up here and read her speech like a robot; totally without feeling and totally without understanding of the issue,” Gunnlaugsson said.
Sigmundur Ernir Runarsson did not take well to this, stating that the Progressive Party would never be acting like this if the Prime Minister was a man.
The bill has been stalled in parliament by opposition parties, including the Progressive Party. Some of Johanna Sigurdardottir’s Social Democrat partners are openly frustrated and bored by the ongoing process – a fact that could be behind the PM’s lacklustre speeches.
Is the prime minister the male or the female in the couple?
A Prime Minister should be passionate about the major topics and inspire people. I’ve no idea about her speaking style – has anyone got a link to a video of her reading that important speech?
I guess she’s not Thatcher in parliament. I emember Thatcher shredding Kinnock for fun.
“Is the prime minister the male or the female in the couple?”
Which one wears the strap-on? It’s our right to know under freedom of information.
I bet of Jóhanna were home baking, her cookies would be delicious! To all those rude comments about our PMs private activities…. You guys need to rent a porno or go to Club Óðal or both. PS, Icelanders are not known for their passionate speaking style. I mean look at Geir… except for that duet with that Hansa person.. Maybe Jóhanna can sing with Leoncie!
LOL at Silvia. I was provoked into my rude comment by Balkanson! I hereby vow never mention strap-ons and your Prime Minister in the same sentence again. Unless, of course, my freedom of information request is approved…
>In Monday’s parliamentary debate on the Icesave bill, Progressive Party leader Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson accused the Prime Minister of not having a clue about Icesave – Landsbanki’s failed savings arm in the UK and Netherlands which the Icelandic nation is now being asked to reimburse.
Its pretty clear that is true.
She and others in her party simply do not care — they care about EU member ship so they can become first EU commissioners of Iceland with they nice salary and expenses to abuse. And they care about they pet projects.
Jim did write :
>A Prime Minister should be passionate about the major topics and inspire people. I’ve no idea about her speaking style – has anyone got a link to a video of her reading that important speech.
Her reading style is every bit 1970s Brezhnev-era apparatchik giving the party line — her style is ,as said ,robotic and uninspiring.
The page for watching Alþingi video and listening is explained here :
http://www.althingi.is/vefur/netvarp.html
>Sigmundur Ernir Runarsson, Social Democrat MP, accused the Progressive Party of contempt for women
>[ He ] did not take well to this, stating that the Progressive Party would never be acting like this if the Prime Minister was a man.
As to sexism claim, coming from a party ( Social Democrats ) that is so incredibly sexist itself — with its pet project idea of forcing a quota of women onto boards of Iceland public companys.. just because they are women — this claim of Sigmundur Ernir is a bit rich.
Really this man is a nitwit.
His slurred performance in late night parliament a few months ago+ and this speech really do mean he should keep quiet, because he is not helping his self or his party.
The three verses from our epic poem Hávamál I mentioned before do of course apply to him as well.
But being that he clearly spends his time reading books about how the EU parliament and commission work ( ready for his new dream role in EU ) he is probably completely ignorant of this aspect his heritige :
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/06/16/former-iceland-pm-defends-bank-privatisation/#comment-81542
+http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0–r8ZiH0k
Well said, Silvía. Those evil filthy comments by the other 2 posters about Jóhanna are completely out of order, and whoever moderates these threads should never have let them through.
ICELANDICS NEED TO SHOW RESPECT FOR THE PM, GIVE HER A BREAK, SHE IS STRESSED TO THE MAX, LET IT GO. BE PROUD ICELAND HAS WOMEN IN GOVERVMENT, NOT MANY GET TO SERVE WORLD WIDE. PROUD OF HER AND HER STYLE THAT I KNOW ABOUT HER. MERRY CHRISTMAS ICELAND.
Here is example of one of her more lively speaking examples ( about Eva Joly and other matter ) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLzZoZNeUCk&NR=1
( Goto 02:00 minutes in to see her speaking. )
@Mike Smith – If people are prevented from insulting their Prime Minister, then no-one would ever write about Gordon Brown again. Politicians shouldn’t automatically gain respect because of their position.
Ok not to be entirly rude here but in my oppinion this information is extremely ignominious [discreditable] whose to say that someone actually writes her speeches maybe shes is just dull and lifeless and it reflects in her speeches. And at least they have a Woman doing somthing in the goverment in America all we have is palin and I dont think she even counts anymore.
Interesting how politicians are the same all over the world.
Ian.