Icelandic MP Thrainn Bertelsson yesterday joined the ranks of the Left Green Movement – the smaller of the country’s two coalition parties in government.
It is not possible for independent candidates to stand for election in Iceland, but Bertelsson was elected for the Citizens’ Movement and subsequently left the party, thus becoming an independent Member of Parliament. As a non-government member, he was considered an opposition MP.
Thrainn Bertelsson’s decision comes as a shot in the arm to the government, which sees its majority in parliament strengthened. According to Birgir Gudmundsson, University of Akureyri political scientist, the move will also strengthen the government’s EU accession application, as Bertelsson is considered a Pro-European by Left Green standards.
RUV reports Gudmundsson as saying the new arrival undoubtedly strengthens the government; but adds that a larger majority also increases the risk of conflict. Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir may not find it any easier to “herd the cats” – as she once described her Left Green party colleagues.
The Left Green Movement now has 15 members in the Althingi parliament.
He votes for the EU on his own. He votes for the EU as memver of Left – Greens.
So no change except now no one will ever trust this kind of lying to their voters new parties again. ( After this and before it the Living Land party of Ómar Ragnarsson that did folk up quickly — these are just pressure groups on other parties — they are not worth the time and attention we voters do give them)
Really though we need to reform our parliament standing rules. Any one with enough signatures over threhold should be able to stand for election out side a party.
Political parties are a thing of the 19th century ( ie before telecommunications ). And not one of the good things either.
“Really though we need to reform our parliament standing rules. Any one with enough signatures over threhold should be able to stand for election out side a party.”
Eh? what? You mean you have to be in party before you are allowed to stand?
Thats explains a lot.
At least a capital letter is a prerequisite. There is the A Party, the D Party, the V party etc etc
There is also the X party.
How about allowing the X man/woman to stand?