From Iceland — Prime Minister: There Will Be A Constitutional Assembly

Prime Minister: There Will Be A Constitutional Assembly

Published January 28, 2011

Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir announced after a government meeting that there will be a constitutional assembly.
The recent Supreme Court decision declaring the elections invalid has sparked surprise and frustration from many Icelanders. Some have contended that the ruling was politically motivated, with elected assemblyman Illugi Gunnarsson openly questioning who was behind the three people who filed complaints with the Supreme Court.
The ruling itself was based on the complaints, which showed numerous infractions of Icelandic election law, many of them concerning the safeguards put in place to ensure that all voting is private and confidential.
Earlier this week, the prime minister told parliament “the people will not be denied a constitutional assembly”. After a government meeting held earlier today, RÚV reports, the prime minister told reporters that ministers present discussed the Supreme Court ruling and how to respond to it.
She said that there was unanimity among government ministers that there will be a constitutional assembly.
When asked if this means elections will be held again, the prime minister said that numerous options were being explored, such as new elections, or appointment by members of parliament.
She closed by saying that she intends to meet with party chairpeople on Monday to discuss the best course of action to take to make the constitutional assembly a reality.
Related:
Constitutional Assembly May Be Reality After All
Response To Court Ruling On Constitutional Assembly Mixed
Constitutional Assembly Elections Ruled Invalid

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