Talks between the Independence Party and the Left-Greens broke down today, with the latter now entering talks with the Pirate Party, the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Bright Future again. Left-Green chair Katrín Jakobsdóttir told reporters that a þjóðstjórn (“national government”), wherein there is no ruling coalition nor opposition, has not been ruled out.
RÚV confirmed this news today. Katrín told reporters that nothing is being ruled out at this point, and that it is important for parliamentarians to think outside the usual framework. This includes forming a broader “national government”, wherein all parties would share power together.
In the wake of the news, President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson has invited all the party chairs to a meeting tomorrow.
As reported, the past month has been fairly stormy when it comes to forming Iceland’s next government.
The President had originally given the mandate to form a coalition to the Independence Party. Coalition talks between the Independence Party, the Reform Party and Bright Future broke down the week before last, as they could not reach an agreement on a common platform; most notably, regarding the management of fisheries and the question of a public referendum on accession to the European Union.
Shortly thereafter, Katrín attempted to form a new coalition comprised of her party, the Pirate Party, the Social Democrats, the Reform Party and Bright Future. However, those talks broke down, as the Left-Greens and the Reform Party were having difficulties finding common ground on a number of issues, amongst them fishing management and some proposed tax increases on high income earners.
This, in turn, led to the Independence Party and the Left-Greens entering talks. Shortly thereafter, the Pirate Party, the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Bright Future entered into informal talks of their own.
Matters may become more clear tomorrow. The Grapevine will keep readers informed of developments as they arise.
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