The leader of one of Iceland’s two governing parties has said he will fight against the country entering the European Union; but also reiterated that he does not want the Icelandic membership application to be withdrawn.
Steingrímur J. Sigfúson, the leader of the Left Green Movement and Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, told the farmers’ newspaper that he will fight Icelandic entry to the EU, although he feels it would not be advisable to withdraw the application before a final membership contract is completed and ready to vote on.
Asked if the Left Greens have broken their election promise that a Left Green government would not apply for EU membership, Steingrímur said that the party has had to go further into the process than he initially thought before the election and that the fight has been harder than expected. But, he says, at every party meeting in which the EU has been discussed, the Left Green Movement has decided not to walk out of government over the issue.
Although there are pro- and anti- Europe voices in all parties, they are broadly split into two pro-EU and three anti-EU parties. The second (and largest) governing party, the Social Democrats, strongly support EU membership, as does The Movement, the smallest opposition party. Split purely along party lines that means there are 23 pro-EU seats in parliament and 37 against. But the inclusion of three independents, those who do not support the EU but wish to conclude negotiations and pro-Europe voices within sceptical parties, the story is not as simple as it might be.
Steingrímur told the farmers’ newspaper that it would not be beneficial for Iceland to turn its back on the ongoing negotiations and that it is important to get a solid conclusion to the process. The toughest chapters of the accession talks (such as farming and fisheries) have yet to begin.
On a personal note Steingrímur said that his belief that Iceland’s national interests lie outside the EU is only getting stronger and that the benefits of having an independent currency have shown themselves recently.
Icelandic farmers are by-and-large not supporters of either the European Union or the Left Green Movement; meaning that Steingrímur probably chose his words carefully when talking to their newspaper.
When will people stop talking about Iceland joining the EU as if there really was a chance of that happening.
Iceland is run and has been run trough the last decades by halfwits as demonstrated by the current state of affairs.
Still better though than the EU.
The bl**dy Germans can put out the fires in the countries they invade without us being a part of this monstrosity this EU has become.
Every time Merkel farts the EU turns into something more toxic and rotten.
On the bright side, the pro EU robots seem to have run out of steam, or the EU simply cant afford the propaganda anymore.
” Perhaps some political parties see referendums as dangerous, depriving the parliament of some dictatorial powers and prefer to see the government fall apart rather than the coalition partners agree that the people can decide the matter in a referendum. ”
Problem is current colaition is putting onto statute books in Icelandic laws many EU directives that simply we have no cause in implementing being member of EFTA.
They are doing this BEFORE people have chance to vote in referndum on whther they do want these from the EU or not.
One qeuotisn… are you Icelandic citizens or are you just not minding your own business??
There is enough of a mandate for the Social Democrats to get their way in the coalition and proceed with the application for EU membership.
Ultimately the matter will go to a referendum and the people will vote. I don’t see any big deal over Steingrímur’s position. His party can go along with allowing the matter of EU membership to go forward for referendum, whilst at the same time holding onto their refusnik position over EU membership.
Perhaps some political parties see referendums as dangerous, depriving the parliament of some dictatorial powers and prefer to see the government fall apart rather than the coalition partners agree that the people can decide the matter in a referendum.
They must be out of their minds to still think that it would be beneficial for us to join the EU. Its a mess and the negatives far outweigh the positives.
“Split purely along party lines that means there are 23 pro-EU seats in parliament and 37 against. ”
But still he does go along because he likes being in power. Now the IMF has left gods help us from this governemnt combination of centralised EU loving and antiprivate property Marxism !
I do take it back this is much worse than simply turning the clock back to 1978. Much worst.
” at every party meeting in which the EU has been discussed, the Left Green Movement has decided not to walk out of government over the issue. ”
That is because he is a traitor to his supporters that did vote for him !
” On a personal note Steingrímur said that his belief that Iceland’s national interests lie outside the EU is only getting stronger and that the benefits of having an independent currency have shown themselves recently. ”
So why are you still in bed with those you disagree with 180 degrees Steingrímur J? Giving weak justifications for why you are going along with something you are against is Quisling government and politics of worst kind.