Press release from the Prime Minister of Iceland
Mr Speaker, fellow Icelanders.
It can have escaped no one that our country is passing through a deep economic downturn. Within a very brief period, the government has had to act responsibly and determinedly, to keep the wheels of business and industry turning and to reinforce the security net for the nation’s households and families. Nations in our part of the world have enjoyed the greatest success when they have managed to combine social responsibility with utilising the advantages of the market, to benefit public interests rather than individual interests. We have to learn from the mistakes which have brought us to where we are today.
The collapse of the Icelandic financial system has resulted in public turmoil, in protests fuelled by justified anger and, not least, a heightened need for involvement and action. It is my hope that the social unrest we have experienced is now behind us and that we are on the path towards reconciliation. The environment created by the difficult economic situation has fostered fertile social debate. Discussion has been heated, producing a wide variety of ideas and demands for changing the structure of our society. Public involvement has been more extensive than previously known in Iceland.
We have heard the views of a great number of people. In my opinion, it is important for us, as politicians, to find ways to enable as many people as possible to make their voices heard. We must not be so limited by the restraints of party politics that we lose touch with the public. No politician wants to lose touch with those people he or she is serving. Our work requires us to maintain close good contact with the public who elected us to work on its behalf. I am convinced that the tumult of recent months has touched all of us and left a lasting impression. The government which has now taken office was created under highly exceptional circumstances. Public demands for change have had effect and the government will make every effort to channel these voices and the demands made into effective action through its own acts and working practices.
The new coalition of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Movement prioritises the following changes for the sake of democracy and greater social justice: Changes to the constitution which will enshrine national ownership of the country’s natural resources, provide for public referenda and a special constitutional assembly, which will open a new chapter in public participation in shaping the structure of government. Furthermore, preparations will get underway on drafting a code of ethics for the Ministerial Offices; legal provisions on the responsibility of ministers, making this comparable to that in neighbouring countries; and new rules on the appointment of District and Supreme Court Judges.
Electoral laws will be amended to make it possible to vote for individual candidates in national elections, ideally so that these can be implemented in upcoming elections.
All of these changes are intended to increase democracy and the involvement of the general public, as well as to remove all sorts of discrimination which have been criticised. They are clear indications that the demands made by the public in the debate of recent weeks have reached the ears of the authorities and are now being put into practice by the government.
Fellow Icelanders.
The past few months have been difficult for all of us. Many people have lost their assets and their jobs, some companies have gone bankrupt while others continue in low gear. All of us need to join hands in an effort to get business and industry moving again, to put the wheels of the economy in motion to improve the situation of businesses, and that of households no less.
In an effort to fight the corruption in our society, we cannot avoid an examination of the connections between the country’s business sector, its economy and its politics. Let us begin this process at once, and in unison. But our actions must be fair and ethical, honouring the basic principle that no one is guilty until proven to be so according to law and proper procedure. We must honour the rights of each individual and take care to ensure that in setting things straight we do not embark on any type of witch hunt. We enjoy the rule of law in this country and neither the government nor members of the Althingi intend to circumvent its basic principles. I would like to emphasize that here this evening.
On the other hand, it is crucial that we succeed in reviving the confidence of the general public in Iceland in its government and economy. Furthermore, we need to regain the respect of others and improve Icelanders’ reputation abroad. No country can prosper without good relations with other nations. There is a direct connection between our image and reputation abroad and the resurrection of the domestic economy. Our financial and regulatory systems need an overhaul. They have failed to achieve their purpose and in so doing have lost their credibility, both towards the wider world and the domestic community.
This is unacceptable, because such parties who do not enjoy the trust of others cannot perform their key roles in the reconstruction. We must face this fact. We politicians are no exception here, which is why it is important to hold elections this spring, giving the politicians a chance to put their case to and receive the verdict of the electorate.
The new government has already set this process in motion and has submitted a bill to Althingi amending the Act on the Central Bank of Iceland. The Board and executive of the Financial Supervisory Authority have resigned and it is important that a new board be appointed for the Authority as soon as possible. The government has requested that the executive of the Central Bank of Iceland step aside as well. The commercial banks have undergone extensive changes, and this process is far from complete.
One of the government’s most important priorities is to ensure that financial institutions have the necessary strength to support the revival of business and industry. In accordance with the economic recovery programme agreed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the government, we are now doing our best to reconstruct the financial system. The programme is proceeding according to schedule and the government will ensure that co-operation with IMF is effective and secure.
The government places emphasis on working concertedly and rapidly to complete the valuation of assets of both the old and the new banks. This has taken more time than anticipated. Once the work is concluded, it will be possible to refinance the banks. Every effort will be made to set the economy in motion again as soon as possible. Companies are struggling with greater difficulties than ever before, including enormous indebtedness, dropping demand and income, an unstable currency and high interest rates.
Clearly, in such circumstances, the banks must proceed with caution. They must at the same time shoulder responsibility for showing discipline towards businesses while participating in economic recovery efforts. The anticipated rapid slowing of inflation should create the premises to cut the policy rate and improve the business environment. Conditions need to be created to enable the relaxing of currency controls and lowering of interest rates as expeditiously as possible.
I expect the government to provide more details of its plans for financial system reconstruction as soon as next week, together with various important measures in this connection. A committee at work under the direction of the Prime Minister’s office, led by Swedish expert Mats Josepsson, will present its first proposals to the government at the end of this week. The objective is to foster the development of healthy financial activities, directed primarily at serving the needs of customers. This should lay the foundation for improving the situation of households and corporates.
A core tenet of the new government’s efforts is to ensure responsible management of economic and monetary affairs. With regard to fiscal matters, the preliminary outlines of the repayment schedule for coming quarters need to be fixed and preparations begun on government budgets for the coming years. The Bill of Legislation introduced in the Althingi to amend the Central Bank Act provides for the establishment of a special Monetary Policy Committee. This committee will make decisions on the use of the Bank’s monetary policy control mechanisms. Such a committee could play a key role in formulating currency and monetary policy in Iceland in coming quarters. The committee is to include external experts, foreign or domestic, with the aim of adding to the credibility of the monetary policy pursued.
Fellow Icelanders.
The unemployment figures in this country are far too high at the moment and, unfortunately, are bound to increase further. These figures represent thousands of individuals: mothers, fathers and children. Whole families are affected by the downturn we are currently experiencing. It is painful to think that the perilous business ventures of a few have already resulted in the unemployment of over 13,000 people.
We have to respond with actions to create jobs and preserve those already existing. We will make a concerted effort to find ways of stimulating investment by domestic and foreign parties, creating new private sector jobs. The government will soon present its programme of public works and tenders. Various measures have already been taken by public authorities in labour market matters and to encourage innovation.
The Housing Financing Fund’s authorisations to grant loans for housing maintenance will be increased and full repayment made of VAT on labour at the construction location of such projects. We know that major developers are simply waiting to begin work. It is up to us to help this happen as soon as possible. With the same end in mind, we are determined to expand the lending capacity of the Institute of Regional Development.
In all these important undertakings we will promote consultation with the social partners. We will take concerted action in response to the financial difficulties facing households in the country in close consultation with stakeholders. A welfare monitoring group, composed of various parties, will be established to follow the consequences of the banks’ collapse and make proposals for actions. Here we can learn from the bitter experience in Finland.
The government has already introduced a bill on debt restructuring, a new option in Iceland, and one I have been attempting to launch for a long time. In the coming weeks additional bills will be introduced to improve the legal situation of individuals facing temporary payment difficulties. The Insolvency Act will be amended to improve debtors’ legal position. Until now too much emphasis has been placed on the legal rights of creditors in the case of bankruptcy.
Laws will be adopted on private pension savings granting fund members a temporary authorisation to withdraw their private pension savings to meet pressing financial needs.
Fellow Icelanders.
I have listed here the substance of the principal items comprising the platform of the government now at the helm. This cabinet is a minority coalition of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Movement, supported by the Progressive Party. Although it will hold office for only a brief period, it is in many ways unique. For the first time, an equal number of women and men comprise the government in Iceland; this is only the third time such has happened in the world. In addition, two new ministers were invited to join as external professionals, i.e. ministers who have not until now been involved in politics. These two ministers will steer ministries which are very important in the reconstruction ahead, and will play a key role in restoring public confidence. Under these circumstances I think this was the correct decision. I ask everyone to bear in mind that this government will be extremely short-lived, allotted a mere 82 days to carry out important tasks, task of vital significance to the nation.
I am very satisfied with the responsibility which the members of the Left-Green Movement, the Progressive Party and the Social Democratic Alliance here in the Althingi have shown in enabling this governmental co-operation, thereby resolving the cabinet crisis which had developed. Taking on the major tasks awaiting us definitely calls for courage and determination. I am encouraged by the fact that the parties supporting the government are ready to accept this responsibility, with elections just around the corner. I would also like to thank the members of the Independence party for their contribution to the last government and especially the former Prime Minister, Geir H. Haarde. I know that I speak for the entire nation in wishing him a speedy recovery.
Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to remind parliamentarians of our responsibility in the present circumstances. There is good reason to request especially that the entire parliament work together to expedite the progress of measures intended to mitigate the impact of the banks’ collapse on business and industry, households and families. I urge parliament to show consideration for the government given these circumstances. I also promise that we will do our best to work and consult with other parliamentarians in the coming weeks. Our co-operation is essential for the nation – and we must not fail in this respect.
I also address my words to the nation. If ever there was a need for Icelanders stand together and support one another, it is now. We have to reinforce society’s safety net. All of us must be alert: the trade unions and the national government, municipalities, the church, the Red Cross and other NGOs and charitable organisations who often work miracles in this regard.
But we must also roll up our sleeves and begin the task of building a new welfare society. We have to be alert to new business opportunities, create the ground for start-up companies to take root in, and give companies already operating the leeway to increase their speed and need for labour. I urge all of business and industry to join forces with us – and to show consideration fo the fact that there is much that needs rebuilding.
Fellow Icelanders.
Determination rather than fear is what we need. We have to take on those projects and tasks that have been left in abeyance during the years of plenty. Everyone who can do so must make a contribution, because only by so doing can we speedily work our way out of these difficulties.
This government could be described as based on an agreement on a new beginning – new values. There has been a paradigm shift in the public attitude in this country. A consensus has developed on values differing from those which have been in the spotlight in recent years. A consensus has developed on our shared responsibility: we are all in the same boat.
The government which is now commencing its first working week is a liberal welfare government, representing a broad spectrum of opinion. A government which intends to rebuild, to create stability, and to defend the basic services of our welfare system.
I would like to express my thanks for the many greetings and messages of encouragement from individuals and organisations in Iceland and from leaders of other countries, which my government and I have received in the past few days. Foreign colleagues have expressed their understanding of our situation in telephone conversations, which is a source of great encouragement.
I hope it will be the epitaph of this government to be deemed the forerunner of a new era in Icelandic society, where democracy and the influence of the individual citizen acquire real meaning. This is and should be the government of the people of this country.
POO!poor Oslo!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:50 PM
International reserves decrease in January as ISK strengthens
According to data published by the Central Bank yesterday, the official reserves of the CB amounted to ISK 364.2 bn at the end of January, having decreased by ISK 65.2 bn (15.2%) during the month. Foreign securities, which make up 50.3% of the reserves, decreased by ISK 28.6 bn in January and foreign currency and deposits decreased by ISK 37 bn.
The ISK, in terms of the EUR, was 16% stronger by the end of January than it was at the end of December. This appreciation explains the majority of the decrease in international reserves. The CB’s net sale of foreign currency amounted to roughly ISK 1.3 bn in January and the effects on the official reserves of the CB therefore marginal.
According to the CB’s statistics, roughly ISK 180 bn of the reserves mature over the next 30 days. That is equivalent to half of the total reserves.
http://www.landsbanki.is/english/markets/research/dailyeconomicbriefing/?NewsID=13688
I said it at the end of december, and it happened just like that, we are down to about “2” billion euros in reservs, with the reall xchange value is only about 1 billon, they are injecting about half a billion to the krona per month, this people are STUPID, do you know what kind of countries have this kind of national resrves? not even argentina or paraguay are in such miserable conditions, the worst part is that peole are so stupid(no offence fishy) that now that everybody knows of the restrictions of the krona(BECAUSE AT THE BIGINING PEOPLE DIDNT KNOW OR ACTUALLY DIDNT UNDERSTAND), they have made people belive that it is because of that that the krona is getting stronger, but guesS what? not even with the restrictions is working they still have to inject half a BILLION euros per month, I told you before 2 or 3 months tops, you will see, I tell you once again run to the banks and get your money out, buy a plane ticket and change as many euros as you can(i mean if its not money that you will need tomorrow ofcourse) loosing 20,000 in a plane ticket is nothing compare with what you will loose if you dont do it, even if its money you will need soon, and you noeed it in ISK, there is less risk of a thief brakeing into your house and still it than loosing it in the bank,(the banks will collapse again and merge into one national bank and maybe one will be privatize)
IT IS THAT OR GETTING INTO THE EU ASAP, THERE IS NO OTHER CHANCE! AT THE END ICELAND WILL BE SPLITED BETWEEN ALL THE CREDITOR COUNTRIES… EACH ONE HAVING ITS PIECE OF THE COUNTRY
ICELAND NEEDS TO LEARN TO LET THIS MONSTER GO, AND START FROM THE BEGINNING AGAIN. LET GO…
WE ARE ABLE TO START FROM THE BEGINNING. BUT AS LONG AS WE HOLD ON UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS AND HOLD TO THE IDEA OF THE STRONG KRONUR WE WONT GET ANYWHERE BUT DOWN!!!
THE KRONA NEEDS TO BE LET GONE INTO THE MARKET OPENLY AND THE GOVERMENT NEEDS TO PUT ANOTHER 0 NOW!! THEN THE KRÓNA WOULD GET TO A SIMILAR VALUE OF THE OLD PESETA IN SPAIN.
FROM THAT VALUE WE START BUILDING THE COUNTRY UP UNTIL WE ADOPT THE EURO IN 4 OR 5 YEARS…
WE CAN DO IT, WE JUST CANT BE SO SCARED FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING… WE KNOW WE ARE IN A BAD SITUATION, LETS ADMIT THIS COUNTRY IS POOR AND START BY PUTTING ANOTHER 0 TO THE KRONA BANKNOTES!! NOW! BEFORE IS TOO LATE!!
THE ONLY OPTION FOR ICELAND WILL BE TO PUT AGAIN ANOTHER 0 TO THE KRÓNA, SO INSTEAD OF GETTING PAID 100.000 A MONTH WE WOULD GET PAID 1000.000 ISK… YEAH ONE MILLION, BUT THAT WOULD BE JUST LIKE NOTHING…
THEY ARE GOING TO PUT A 0 SOON AND THEY KNOW THEY ALREADY HAD TO DO IT. BUT THEY HAVENT STILL BECAUSE THEM MORE PEOPLE WOULD FREAK OUT!!
THE REAL VALUE OF THE KRONA, WITH THE DEBTS THIS COUNTRY HAS AND NOT STRONG INDUSTRY OR RESOURCES TO BUILD THE ECONOMY BACK TO WESTERN EUROPEAN LEVELS, IS 300-ISK FOR 1 EURO. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.. THAT IS THE LAST PRICE WE GOT WHEN THINGS WERE JUST BAD…
BUT NOW THINGS ARE MUCH MUCH WORSE, WE HAVE HUGE DEBTS AND COMPANIES CLOSSING, THIS IS THE TOTAL RUIN OF ICELAND.. WE CAN EXPECT THE EURO FAIRLY AROUND 600-800 ISK IN TWO MONTHS IF THE RIGHT STEPS ARE TAKEN.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO GET AS WORSE AS ZIMBAWE, BUT WE ARE SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO THE ECONOMICAL LEVEL OF PARAGUAY OR ARGENTINA NOW… EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.
PEOPLE IS SCREAMING FOR HIGHER SALARIES. THEY ARE GOING TO START ISSUING 10.000, 50.000. AND 100.000 BANKNOTES SOON.
PEOPLE WILL START GETTING PAID 1000.000 KRONURS, OR MORE, TO JUST TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE…
THIS IS THE REALITY OF ICELAND… AND WE NEED TO ACCEPT IT. AND FROM IT START BUILDING THE COUNTRY. BUT JUST KEEPING THE ICELANDIC KRÓNA ARTIFICIALLY AT THE RATE OF 150 AND HAVING THIS ARGENTINIAN CORRALITO OF BANK SYSTEM IS NOTHING BUT MAKING THINGS WORSE…
THE SOONER WE ACCEPT THIS THE BETTER.
[…] dubious honor of being the first to drop in the current global meltdown. Last week, Sigurdardóttir said that the new government would try to change the constitution to “enshrine national ownership […]
@Fishy
Where do you live, low monthly salary 150,000, i guess you are talking about before tax, bacause most of the people is getting between 100,000 and 125,000 in their bank accounts. that if you live alone and you rent just a room to live in you might make it through the month and bearly. Unfortunately Icelanders are very proud, but not pride of the good one but of the bad one, just make friends with people and get theyr trust, and they will start telling you how are they actually living, I was in a party yesterday and talked with many people all of them unemplyed or many of them used to own they oun firm or bussiness, I looked arround in the party everybody wearing of course very nice clothes and all but all of them driving very expensive cars, but talking to the and telling me how broke they are, not even enough money to pay the basic monthly things, all of them telling me that “well at least my wife stilkl has a job and we are just living very cheap from her salary”, or the opposite sha has no job but he still has maybe 70% job, I was just asking but what all of them still driveing the nice car because they are not paying anymore, some because the loan is frozen others just waiting untill they take it away from them, the same with their houses or apartments houses, I was actually surprise and this are people that I know for a long time and never thought they would be in this situation, the situation is critic and its only getting worse, with or with out UE or Norway or what ever this country is not getting out of this soon, and even with all the help in the world will not get out of this, pension funds are going to be taken over by the goberment, unemployment funds, will run out in les than 7 months, krona will be cahnge to another currency but at a crazy rate, there is no way out of this situation, once you get a deadly desease there is nothing you can do, exept wait. of course you can make the life of the patient more comfortable but thats all. they talk so much about fish, what fish we dont have any it all belongs to few people, and anyways do you really belive you can sustain this economy in 2009 with fish? please!!! we are not in the 60’s, we can ofcourse sell fish get some money out of it like in the past, but that gives money to live exactly like that like in the 60’s the difference is that now we have BILLIONS of euros in debt.
@GUS
I do get the point you are making that> why should people work a lousy job for lousy money, right?
Were do we go from here?
Then YOU tell me GUS
What is the answer double the salary?
1>
I believe a low monthly salary is 150,000 isk so should we double this to 300,000 isk ?
300,000 isk = 2,000 Euro ,right ?
OR
2>
We could set the value of the isk at 75isk = 1 Euro
then 150,000 isk = 2,000 Euro ,right?
( lets remember this was isk value 3years ago)
OR
3>
All move to Spain and claim government benefits?
I am sorry for those who think low paid or fish processing is beneath them.
BUT, i was brought up to take any work is better than no work , and i have NO RESPECT for people who will sit at home on their @sses and not apply for any work. Or are waiting for the perfect job to call them because they are really needed.
FISHY SAID: “What do i draw from this conclusion 12,980 think that they are still above applying for work in the fish industry?
Also from this conclusion you can see foriegners are still here and are willing to apply for jobs that many Icelandics think are beneath them.”
OF COURSE NO ONE WANTS TO APPLY, WHY SHOULD THEY? SALARIES THERE ARE SO LOW. SOME OF THE LOWEST SALARIES IN EUROPE NOW. WHY SHOULD THEY? PEOPLE IS GETTING THE SAME MONEY FROM THE UNEMPLOYMENT PENSION THAN THEY GET FROM THE FACTORIES…. SO NO ONE IS INTERESTED REALLY…
AND THEN LOTS OF PEOPLE COME OUT TO SAY THAT FISH IS GOING TO MAKE ICELAND A RICH COUNTRY. WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE AVERAGE ICELANDER WORKER WILL GET A MISERABLE SALARY…
FOREIGN PEOPLE APPLYING FOR THOSE JOBS COME FROM REALLY POOR COUNTRIES LIKE THAILAND OR PHILIPINES… MOST OF THE EUROPEANS WITHOUT A JOB HERE HAVE ALREADY LEFT THE COUNTRY AS THEY CAN GET HIGHER PAYMENTS FROM THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN EU THAN THEY GET IN ICELAND…
DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT IN ICELAND??
IT IS AROUND 100.000 ISK, LETS SAY ROUGHLY 600 EUROS!! WELL, THAT COULD WORK FOR A YOUNG PERSON IN SPAIN TO GO OUT PARTY DURING A MONTH IF THEY LIVE WITH THEIR PARENTS…
IN SPAIN THE VERY MINIMUM AND LOWEST PAYMENT IS 950 EUROS A MONTH FOR AN UNEMPLOYED PERSON WHO HAS BEEN WORKING PART TIME… THAT IS SOMETHING LIKE 150.000 THOUSAND KRONURS…
THE FUNNY OF ALL THIS IS THAT THINGS IN ICELAND KEEP BEING EXPENSIVE AND HERE YOU HAVE TO PAY THE DOUBLE THAN IN EUROPE FOR THE SAME PRODUCTS ( BEER, FOOD, CLOTHES,ETC…)
FISHY PLEASE TELL ME, HOW DO PEOPLE SURVIVE WITH A SALARY OF ROUGHLY 100.000 ISK IN ICELAND??
I JUST CAN´T FIGURE IT OUT AT ALL… YOU ARE REALLY ONE OF THE MOST RUINED AND POOREST COUNTRIES IN EUROPE
IT IS REALLY STRANGE THAT THE CBI HAS NOT STARTED TO PRINT BANKNOTES OF 10.000 AND 50.000 KRONURS… BECAUSE WITH SUCH INFLATION, MISERABLE SALARIES AND THOSE PRICES.. I DON´T KNOW WHAT TO SAY…
I don´t know what happened to the last post
Prime Minister “Changes to the constitution which will enshrine national ownership of the country’s natural resources,”
Fisy “Still meaning unclear so we can only assume worst. Nationalisation of number of things putting under power of politicains and their appointees”
I don´t think it is a reference to a program of nationalisation.
Imo enshrine in this context means to make stronger.
To make stronger the protection in the constitution over the national resources.
Prime Minister “preparations will get underway on drafting a code of ethics for the Ministerial Offices; legal provisions on the responsibility of ministers, making this comparable to that in neighbouring countries”
That looks like an attempt to curb, amongst other things, the abuse of executive Ministerial actions undertaken contrary to the interests of the State.
Prime Minister > Changes to the constitution which will enshrine national ownership of the country’s natural resources,> Still meaning unclear so we can only assume worst. Nationalisation of number of things putting under power of politicains and their appointees as I mentioned other posts. < ” preparations will get underway on drafting a code of ethics for the Ministerial Offices; legal provisions on the responsibility of ministers, making this comparable to that in neighbouring countries <;”
Looks like an attempt to curb the abuse of executive Ministerial actions undertaken contrary to the interests of the State.
“The unemployment figures in this country are far too high at the moment and, unfortunately, are bound to increase further. These figures represent thousands of individuals: mothers, fathers and children. Whole families are affected by the downturn we are currently experiencing. It is painful to think that the perilous business ventures of a few have already resulted in the unemployment of over 13,000 people”
On Wenesday a fish producing company in Hafnafjordur advertised in Frettabladid that they needed process workers.
Less than 20 people applied for the jobs.
Only 2 of the applicants were Icelandic.
What do i draw from this conclusion 12,980 think that they are still above applying for work in the fish industry?
Also from this conclusion you can see foriegners are still here and are willing to apply for jobs that many Icelandics think are beneath them.
This a great, inspirational and heartfelt press release.
We are planning to have our wedding in Iceland in June 2009 and as such have been following the events in this great and beautiful country very closely.
I am still struggling to understand the last administration’s obcession with the value of the Krona, as Icelandic prices are still very high, if one were to look at things objectively. Canada has obviously not been affected by the global downturn as much as Iceland, and still I find the price of everything in Iceland absolutely exuberant and out of touch with Iceland’s current economic condition.
A major reduction in the price of Krona is only going to affect the price of imported goods and frankly during these tough times, Iceland needs to focus more on domestic goods production. A lower Krona will boost manufacturing competativeness, increase tourism and allow the central bank to lower its rates.
I wish Iceland the best of luck and hope that the new administration is more in touch with economic realities.
[…] Eine Rede der neuen Premierministerin (auf Englisch) findet man bei IceNews. […]
The idea about referendums is not bad in principal but have to wonder will they do it well like Swiss where or just when politicians decide everyone gets one.
What I notice is not much talk of reducing centralization of government power.
That is of course against what Social Democrats and Left Greens want. They need more government power and tax money to force people to do what they want. It is there way.
>Changes to the constitution which will enshrine national ownership of the country’s natural resources,
Still meaning unclear so we can only assume worst. Nationalisation of number of things putting under power of politicains and their appointees as I mentioned other posts.
>Nations in our part of the world have enjoyed the greatest success when they have managed to combine social responsibility with utilising the advantages of the market, to benefit public interests rather than individual interests.
Taxes going up.
>But we must also roll up our sleeves and begin the task of building a new welfare society
Meaningless sound bite. Jóhanna vacuuous leftwingness sound bite not helping trust.
> We have to be alert to new business opportunities, create the ground for start-up companies to take root in, and give companies already operating the leeway to increase their speed and need for labour
Keep ehf tax at 15% as is now.
Remove stupid rule about salaries for company directors if not dividends are paid. Small companies not get big easily with this stupid rule now on books as force to pay big salary when have insufficient income.
Do NOT join EU and bring down all stupid EU directives on businesses. That suicide for startup company.
You for join EU? Oh dear Jóhanna and friends.
>This government could be described as based on an agreement on a new beginning – new values. There has been a paradigm shift in the public attitude in this country. A consensus has developed on values differing from those which have been in the spotlight in recent years.
Among you politiicans in Social Democrats and Left Greens you mean. You agreed that you give in to couple of Steingrímur demands not push for referendum before election, and crazy ideas about nationalization.
Dont confuse this agreement between you politicians with will of people in country. They still interested in them and families and government not stealing and wasting their money and stoping them from doing new businesses.
>I hope it will be the epitaph of this government to be deemed the forerunner of a new era in Icelandic society
Epitaf of new goveernment will be crazy left wingers tried to force through constituional changes quickly and sloppily and fought over things between each other, as Social Democrats try to force people into EU fast.
The last government ideas of cleanup sensiible as can be seen that have not changed that direction except for obvious things.
There is too much just plain power flexing such as Katrín firing those people in the board she diagree with about educational funding before she were appointed — appointed not elected to ministry.
Also the harrasing of the speaker of parliament.
This sloppy central bank bill they come up with also, this is not something you must rush through. And certainly not without experts having worked on it. This is again another show and tell that this all talk about new way of doing things.
This new way of sloppiness and rushing is not positive direction.