Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir told reporters that leaders of all political parties in Iceland are trying to reach common ground with regards to Icesave. She added, though, that it is as yet unclear when a new agreement will be taken up that can be brought to the British and Dutch.
As it stands now, a national referendum is scheduled for 6 March. Public opinion with regards to a referendum or a new law seems to suggest that most Icelanders would prefer the latter.
There are, in fact, multiple points of view in the Icesave discussion. Many Icelanders feel as though they should not be held responsible for the actions of bank managers who were themselves dishonest with the Icelandic people as much as they were with British and Dutch depositors, and that therefore Iceland should not pay. Others cite international agreements, of which Iceland is a signatory, that the country is legally bound to repay UK and Dutch depositors. There are those – both support and opposing the Icesave deal – who would like to see the existing Icesave law go to referendum, while most appear to want the law simply withdrawn, and for parliament to begin working on a whole new deal to offer the British and Dutch.
For a Grapevine opinion on the matter, click here.