The conservative majority of Kópavogur town council has rejected a proposal to investigate how the town is managed, despite a similar proposal being passed in Reykjavík, and despite alleged corruption committed by Kópavogur’s previous mayor.
The proposal, submitted by Leftist-Green town councilman Ólafur Þór Gunnarsson, called for the establishment of a three-person commission comprised of non-politically-affiliated individuals to go through town records and investigate how Kópavogur has been managed. This comes in the wake of findings from the Special Investigative Commission, and also in light of the fact that the town’s previous mayor – Independence Party member Gunnar I. Birgisson – was forced to step down during a police investigation into charges he awarded sweetheart contracts to a company owned by his daughter.
The majority comprised of the Independence Party and the Progressives rejected the proposal, instead referring it to the discretion of the current mayor – and also a member of the Independence Party – Gunnsteinn Sigurðsson, who took over for Gunnar in July 2009.
Ólafur Þór was less than pleased, telling Vísir, “My experience at the meeting was that men didn’t have the confidence to approve this proposal, which is by and large the exact same proposal that was submitted in Reykjavík [where the conservatives also have a majority].” He added that people should expect that their towns – as well as parliament – engage in some real introspection in order to ensure that everyone is working ethically.