Conservative Proposes Changes To EU Talks Proposal

The mayor of a south Iceland town, and Independence Party member, believes the Foreign Minister’s proposal to end EU accession talks should be changed.

Vísir reports that Westman Islands mayor Elliði Vignisson believes that theproposal to end talks could make the Independence Party look bad. He points out that the Social Democrat/Left-Green coalition of the previous government initiated accession talks with the European Union – the involvement of the Independence Party, rather than letting talks continue as they are, puts “responsibility” on the Independence Party for the talks’ outcome.

Elliði does not believe the proposal should necessarily be withdrawn. Rather, he proposes changes to the existing proposal. Amongst these changes would be the stipulation that talks will not be continued without a public referendum. Interestingly, this was the official position of the ruling coalition, despite that position now being dismissed.

As reported, thousands have been protesting in front of parliament in defiance of the decision to not hold a public referendum on whether or not to continue EU accession talks. At the same time, over 20% of eligible voters have signed apetition calling for the referendum.