From Iceland — Parliament to Re-Work Political System

Parliament to Re-Work Political System

Published September 30, 2010

Members of parliament all agree that legislation regarding the economic collapse needs to be reviewed – but any consensus over what legislation and how it should be changed seems unlikely at best.
Part of the parliamentary committee’s task – apart from determining who, if anyone, should face negligence charges for the economic collapse – was to determine if changes were needed within the system of government itself. The committee came to the conclusion that sweeping reforms are necessary, and apparently all of parliament agreed on that point: all 63 MPs voted in agreement with that article of the report. They also agree that the task should be completed within two years.
However, what legislation needs to be reviewed and how it should be changed is likely to be a major point of contention. Conservatives and Leftist-Greens, for example, are almost entirely diametrically opposed when it comes to financial regulations.
But more so than individual pieces of legislation, some MPs contend, it is the system of government itself that needs changing. Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir, an MP for the Leftist-Greens, told Vísir that members of parliament have long been criticized by the general public on a number of points, without MPs making a special note of these critiques.
The Prime Minister has recently advocated for new regulations for both MPs and other government employees regarding ethics and work habits, and to set up special training courses that would convey the concepts of fairness, justness, and democracy to these public servants.
As broad and general as the task is, it is set to be complete by 1 October 2012.

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Show Me More!