Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the President of Iceland, asked Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir, the leader of the Social Democrats, and Steingrimur J. Sigfusson, leader of the Left Green Party, to discuss together the formation of a minority coalition government between their two parties. The President said he had asked Gisladottir to chair the talks.
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson also said it is possible one or two individuals from outside parliament may be asked to join the cabinet. The final situation has yet to be confirmed; but such a government would not be dissimilar to recent expectations, MBL.is reports.
The President said that he expects to discuss the final situation with Gisladottir and Sigfusson tomorrow afternoon or on Thursday morning. He has requested that the negotiations should take a few days, and not a few weeks.
Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir said that she and Steingrimur J. Sigfusson have accepted the President’s offer and will now discuss how they can create a strong government that can hopefully be operational by the weekend. They will discuss this today or tomorrow.
Sigfusson said that now they have been set this task, it will be important to remove the political uncertainty in Iceland as soon as possible.
According to President Grimsson, after meeting all the party leaders yesterday, his conclusion was that there was not a strong enough foundation on which to build talks about a coalition of all five political parties, sometimes called a national unity government. He added that although several governments have borne the name in Iceland’s 60-year history as a republic, none of them have included every single party.
On the other hand, he said, it was clear that there was a will within the Social Democrats and the Left Green Party that they could work together – especially with the support of the Progressive Party.
It came to light yesterday evening that the Progressive Party is definitely willing to support such a coalition, although it does not have enough MPs in parliament to enjoy support enough to enter into a three-way coalition in its own right. It is likely that in exchange for their allegiance, the coalition partners will promise to support Progressive initiatives in certain pre-decided areas of policy.
It also came to light during the President’s meetings that the Liberal Party is willing to support an SD/LG coalition, albeit on a much less formal basis than the Progressive Party.
>If tourist want to come thats great but why will listen to lobby groups from foreign countrys? Why care?
Because those tourists *may* care. Sure, at the moment, it’s not having an impact on your tourism, but it might.
Take me, for example. I’m not at all ecologically aware. I actually support animal testing. I don’t get all fuzzy or rightous when someone mentions Greenpeace. And yet, if I was considering where to go for my holiday, I would be swayed by an anti-whaling ad that highlighted that Iceland not only hunted but had just increased the quota.
And I’m not as emotional as your average person.
Still worth the risk?
@Fisy
Basically you seem to have 2 arguments in favour of whaling:
1 whales eat cod
2 Iceland should not be ‘pushed around by others’.
pathetic
1: so you would also be in favour of killing all lions , cheetas and leopards in Africa because they eat goats?
2: whales cannot be blamed for the misery of the icelandic elite which have brought Iceland in a situation where it is being pushed around.
BTW it is better to emigrate if you do not like Iceland being pushed around since the IMF and the many other creditors WILL push Iceland around.
>Fish stocks, need to eat, need to export – these are all valid arguments.
While there is export market in Japan it is not main reason. If tourist want to come thats great but why will listen to lobby groups from foreign countrys? Why care?
Extremeist like Greenpeace, PETA, etc not welcome here and not likely to come as tourists either. So who cares about them.
Come on Fisy, that’s a poor argument (as well as cutting off your nose to spite your face).
Fish stocks, need to eat, need to export – these are all valid arguments.
OH MY GOD, MOST OF THE SHOPS IN LAUGARVEGUR RUINED AND CLOSING!! WHERE AM I GOING TO SPEND MY EUROS THEN?? I WILL HAVE TO MOVE TO LONDON OR SOMETHING IF I CANNOT GO TO DO MY MONTHLY SHOPPING OF CLOTHES AND SHOES…
THE CLOSING OF SHOES SHOPS IS GOING TO BE FATAL FOR THE ICELANDIC SHOE CLEANERS IN THE STREETS OF REYKJAVÍK… THEY HAVE FAMILIES TO FEED
>The country can ill-afford to extinguish this valuable source of income in favour of the demands of a powerful but short-sighted lobby.
Not just about simple money. But about independence and not being pushed around by foreign countries.
We can only hope that Iceland’s incoming administration finally recognises that whales are worth more to the economy alive than dead. Whale-watching is a million-dollar industry in Iceland and it is growing. The country can ill-afford to extinguish this valuable source of income in favour of the demands of a powerful but short-sighted lobby.
I’m showing my support by joining the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s “Tails For Whales” campaign as this is a critical time to show Icelanders that we care about their whales and about them. http://www.tailsforwhales.org
Gus you do known what exhchange controls are do you?
And that there is restrictions on exchange of Króna.
I ask this not in sarcasm but genuine question.
FISY SAID: “Consider that bond holders cannot take out main money now only interest. What would you do in such shoes?”
FISY, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO?? THIS: TAKE ADVANTAGE AGAIN WHEN THEY ARTIFICIALLY PUT THE KRÓNA AGAIN TO 140 AND SEND MONEY TO MY BANK ACCOUNT OUTSIDE.
ANYONE KNOWS THAT WHEN THE NEW GOVERN TAKES POWER ALL THE FALSE STRUCTURE CREATED BY THE INDEPENDENT PARTY TO HOLD POWER AND LIE TO PEOPLE WILL FALL DOWN AND THE KRÓNA WILL GO MUCH WEAKER TO PRICES SIMILAR TO WHAT THE REAL VALUE IS.
THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE PARTY YET. WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE VERY AMAZING THINGS HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY-MARZ…
WE ARE NOT GOING TO SE FINAL CHAPTER OF THIS WITHOUT THE “BLACK DAY” WHEN THE KRÓNA IS GOING TO GET TO 250 ISK.
SO AS SOON AS THEY PUT THE EURO TO 150 OR LESS, SEND ALL YOUR MONEYS OUT.. THEN WAIT,,, AND BUY YOURSELF A FANCY CAR OR A HOUSE WHEN IT GETS AGAIN TO 250ISK=EUR
WHEN THE INDEPENDENT PARTY FALLS THEY WILL DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE THE NEW GOVERMENT LOOK WORSE THAN THEY DID… AND WE WILL ALL SEE THIS. THE BEGINNING IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY, JUST BECAUSE OF THAT… INDEPENDENT PARTY HAVE A LOT OF SHITY SURPRISES FOR US ALL!!!!
>Since local currency trading is still under Central Bank restrictions, this cannot be the result of recent political events. While it is gratifying to see an improvement in the krona, I have an uneasy feeling. Something smells…
Consider that bond holders cannot take out main money now only interest. What would you do in such shoes?
So, now the krona is appreciating significantly. At this moment it’s around 114,750 to the USD. Since local currency trading is still under Central Bank restrictions, this cannot be the result of recent political events. While it is gratifying to see an improvement in the krona, I have an uneasy feeling. Something smells…
>A very encouraging sign! I’m sure foreign governments will react positively on a new Icelandic administration. This may help getting outside support, which is very important in the current dire situation.
You mean support already got through IMF loan facility? What Iceland need now is foreiegn investment. You think that this hard left Green socialist democrat party alliance has any hope of that?
>As to the allegation that “Left-Greens are crazies”: It’s almost impossible that they are as crazy as Harde and his nutcases.
Gray you now enter into realme of absurd.Left-Greens stand against normal people including normal peopel that recycle which is not too many in Iceland but still. They got elected as protest vote against smelters by voters not caring or knowing what policies were just Green in name.
>harmless loonatics would be a move in the right direction.
But point is now loonatics not harmless when in government. Because they can make policies that effect normal peoples, and also scare the beJesus out of foreign investors Iceland really needs.
You really think Left-Greens in favour of oil and has exploation or smelters? Those being good natural resource of Iceland .
Are they for fishing? Probably just about.
Bet even they do not have sensible thoughts about startups for data center and stuff.
>wouldn’t it be better for the Left Greens to stay away from bourgeois crisis management (at least up to the next election)? … it is not the duty of leftists to clear up the mess which the ruling class has produced but to go beyond capitalism
Comrade, Steingrímur won’t be able to ressist doing -something- now he has government for some fleeting time in his hands and publicity goes with it, and all the capitalist of Iceland all 300,000 will find themselves paying price as recovery is delayed and pushed away and messed with by refugees from some bad 1970s socialist-green utopia novel.
wouldn’t it be better for the Left Greens to stay away from bourgeois crisis management (at least up to the next election)? … it is not the duty of leftists to clear up the mess which the ruling class has produced but to go beyond capitalism
Fisy said:
“Nonsense. Raising of standard of living real and visible to all.”
——————————————————
Is it only in Iceland where credit bills are regarded as an asset? :)
The real evidence of the standard of living index is seen in the real high levels of consumer debt associated with the consumer (house upgrades, fixtures & fittings,car upgrades) spending.
A very encouraging sign! I’m sure foreign governments will react positively on a new Icelandic administration. This may help getting outside support, which is very important in the current dire situation.
As to the allegation that “Left-Greens are crazies”: It’s almost impossible that they are as crazy as Harde and his nutcases. And the world has already learned that politics in Iceland isn’t based on rational acting players. But even the change from dangerous madmen to harmless loonatics would be a move in the right direction.
:P
And sadly as we read soon, Katrín VP of Left Greens also does not know that time now is to keep quite and not stupidity such as poking IMF and so lenders with large stick.
Mark words Samfylkingin will regrest this actions they did come elections time.
>The ‘economic progress’ of Iceland and the rest of the western world in recent decades was all based on a right-wing lie and did nothing to benefit ordinary people
Nonsense. Raising of standard of living real and visible to all.
Stuart afraid you can’t go live in Soviet Union anymore as that Socialist Utopia gone a few years back.
> I’m glad to see the people of Iceland leading the way in the move ideologically towards a new type of politics which is centred around social need rather than private profit. Personally I hope to see a leftist coalition with the Left Greens as the largest party following the election –
Very fun time because we get to read clue less posts of people not knowing what goes.
Left-Greens appoointed until elections to government. Will notice that in 2007 when had a chance Social Democrats rather work with Independence Party than Steingrímur.
Only reason is happening with related nonsense is factions errupting in Social Democrats could not be controlled by leader Ingibjörg Sólrún.
So dont rejoice yet comrades of Steingrímur as he will have 5 months max to keep mouth shut and act as statesman not thug, and will be amazing if manages it.
The ‘economic progress’ of Iceland and the rest of the western world in recent decades was all based on a right-wing lie and did nothing to benefit ordinary people. That things turned out the way they have should therefore not be a surprise and I’m glad to see the people of Iceland leading the way in the move ideologically towards a new type of politics which is centred around social need rather than private profit. Personally I hope to see a leftist coalition with the Left Greens as the largest party following the election – only then will the people of Iceland truly be able to start again and build for themselves an economy which is there to serve people and their communities rather than the other way round and which works in harmony with, rather than against, the interests of nature.
FISY, WHAT DO YOU CALL NORMAL LIFE? THE LIFE STYLE WE HAVE HAD IN ICELAND DURING THE LAST YEARS? OR THE LIFE WE HAVE NOW??
HAHAHAHAHA, FISY, YOU SHOULD GO TO “AMERICA´S NEW STAR” I AM SURE YOU WOULD WIN!! YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH A LOT!!!
HAHAHAHAH
@ Rico,
The idea it a nice thought, but, however with out a government established to govern the peoples efferts it would just be a big mess probably. Whats hard to find is an actual government that is in the people of a country and not a government that is simply other people supported by the people. If that makes any sence.
Are they scared to fire oddson??, Does oddson have have to be there forever??, does he have a contract??, how much will he get (of course in 6 figures) if he has to be fired??, can’t get lost voluntarily???….
Can Someone clarify these \\\\\..
Thanks!
[…] https://www.icenews.is/ […]
In this present day situation ( where economic crisis is in turmoil )Politics should be set aside and work for the common good of the people and to the nation as well.
Let us avoid this violent confrontation,but rather
work together to heal this economic pandemic.
Final thing — will they have sense political sense NOT to fire Davið from Central Bank before elections?
Think not, as clearly people in parties and particuly factons in Social Democrats too drunk on current good fortune and opportunitiy to gain power to think clearly beyond that.
Lets now see if these two highly different parties understand there is to be no tinkering or major policy changes outside of what already tabled by previous government in calendar.
But readers must understand Left-Greens are crazies in policies by any Icelandic — or world — standard so best thing our favourite thug Steingrímur can do is keep mouth shut and policies hidden and unknown for now if has sense.
People learn what policies really are they will kick Vinstrihreyfingin – grænt framboð back into green grass when it comes election time.
Popularity is because are seen as oposition and Steingrímur speaks big, but once read about politics will soon people find they are opisition to normal life.
They might want to include the Icelandic publics’ opinion in on the creation this time around. Sounds to me like the last one didn’t fare so well.
[…] the resignation of the country’s prime minister yesterday, a minority Red-Green coalition is in the process of being formed, and is likely to govern after the elections scheduled for May. The FT has some comment […]