A new MP for the Leftist-Green Party, Ásmundur Einar Daðason, yesterday
encouraged members of parliament to reject a resolution to apply for
membership to the European Union.
Daðason said that discussion on whether or not to join the EU should be taken off the table; that all talk of the EU being able to solve Iceland’s problems was the stuff of fantasy. His party shares the coalition partnership with the Social Democrats, who have long held forth the belief that the EU is, in fact, that answer to Iceland’s economic problems.
Daðason’s remarks garnered considerable attention from his colleagues, who asked him how he intended to vote on the Icesave deal. Daðason responded that that would come to light when he pushed the button (for Yes, No, or Abstaining).
The EU question has been a contentious one within the Leftist-Greens. The party’s official platform states that it believes the country would be better served outside the EU than within it, but that it wants to see the matter put to national referendum – which it will be. However, there are some within the party who are decidedly anti-EU to the point where they believe the matter shouldn’t even be up for debate, while others, albeit in fewer numbers, who are pro-EU.
The referndum on whether or not Iceland should apply for EU membership is expected to being this summer.