A multi-partisan meeting called together yesterday by the Prime Minister in the wake of Monday evening’s protests has not yet led to any definable result.
As reported, Monday evening’s protests prompted the Prime Minister to tell the press that she takes the demands of the protesters “very seriously”, in particular with regards to relieving household debt. While conservatives have been calling for new elections, and other members of the opposition have suggested a national government (wherein all political parties share power), Jóhanna instead invited the leaders of every political party to a meeting to try and devise a solution to the problem.
When the meeting ended yesterday evening, there were no conclusive results.
Members of the opposition were displeased, saying that the ideas they offered were ignored or dismissed. Þór Saari, an MP for The Movement, said that “it became clear that [the government] isn’t ready to take up the radical changes needed to relieve household debt”. Conservative MP Ólöf Nordal reiterated that her party was ready to come back to power.
The Prime Minister expressed surprise at these accusations, saying that she invited members of the opposition to a meeting “in full sincerity”, adding, “there is anger and much displeasure in society, as was made clear [at the protests], and we need to take this message to heart.”
Party leaders are expected to meet again soon.