Social Democrat MP Mörður Árnason told reporters that he believes a proposal on withdrawing from talks with the European Union should be voted on at once.
In apparent agreement with Fréttablaðið journalist Þorstein Pálsson, Mörður wants to see the proposal submitted by the end of September. Typically, the fall session commences in the beginning of October.
Mörður is a Social Democrat, a party that has long championed joining the European Union. His proposal is made in order to clarify parliament’s position with regards to the European Union – with which Iceland has already begun accession talks.
His prediction is that if the proposal to withdraw Iceland’s application to the EU is passed, the next parliamentary elections will see the EU issue in the spotlight.
Currently, a comfortable majority of Icelanders are against joining the EU. The main issues of concern are fishing rights, worries about national sovereignty, agriculture, and to an extent fears that unemployment will rise.