Fast And Loose With EU Facts

Politicans Vigdís Hauksdóttir, Frosti Sigurjónsson and Elín Hirst have all been caught out this week making erroneous statements about the EU, reports Vísir.

First Progressive Party MP Vigdís Hauksdóttir caused controversy after she claimedMalta was not an independent country but a semi-autonomous region of another country. Her remarks attracted the attention of the Maltese media who have been covering the gaffe extensively.

Then Frosti Sigurjónsson, also a Progressive Party MP, said that China would not be willing to sign a free trade agreement with Iceland as long as the ruling government was in favour of joining the European Union. However, former foreign minister, Össur Skarphéðinsson, signed such an agreement with China in April last year.

Lastly Elín Hirst, an Independence Party MP, said earlier this week that Greenland was currently struggling to leave the EU, but in fact Greenland left the EU in 1982. Even so, as a territory of Denmark, an EU member nation, Greenland shares a special agreement with the EU.

Upon realising her mistake, Elín Hirst made a public apology.