As chairmen of Iceland’s political parties continue rounds of talks on an almost daily basis, the government now waits for an answer from British and Dutch authorities on whether or not it will be possible to re-negotiate at this time.
During last Friday’s meeting, the party chairmen outlined goals for a new Icesave deal. While no consensus had been reached at the time, they did agree that a multi-partisan committee was necessary to oversee talks. Earlier, Leftist-Green MP Lilja Mósesdóttir, with MPs from the conservative Independence Party and the activist Civic Movement, has said that she would like to see a neutral party mediate negotiations between Icelandic, British and Dutch authorities, naming as one example former German vice chancellor Joschka Fischer.
A statement from the Federation of Icelandic Trade says that it celebrates the steps being taken between the parties, and believes a consensus on the matter will soon be reached. “It is important that the economic interests of the people, and not the political interests of a party, take precedent,” the statement reads in part.
British and Dutch authorities have said that they will not have talks with Iceland on a new deal until the government can establish a stronger multi-partisan consensus on the matter. A national referendum on the current law, scheduled for 6 March, will likely cost taxpayers 200 million ISK.