Independence Party
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Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir New Independence Party Leader
Former minister of judicial affairs Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir is the new leader of the Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn). She was elected during the party’s 45th national convention which took place between February 28-March 2. Along with Guðrún, party MP Jens Garðar Helgason was voted…
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New Government Approval Ratings Almost 70%
The results of a recent Gallup survey show that the new government’s approval rating measures at 69%. However, the total support of each government party amounts to 48%, reports RÚV. The rating is on par with previous incumbent governments, with the former…
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Several Political Parties Wrongfully Received Public Funds
Several political parties have received millions in public funds despite not fulfilling the necessary conditions for monetary support. On January 21, mbl.is reported that the People’s Party (Flokkur Fólksins), led by Inga Sæland, has received 240 million ISK in public funding, even…
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Bjarni Ben Steps Down As Chairman and MP
Bjarni Benediktsson has decided not to seek re-election as chairman of the Independence Party at the upcoming party congress. He has held the position for 16 years and will also step down from his seat in parliament, reports RÚV. In a Facebook…
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Independence Party Candidate Wanted In Poland
An Independence Party candidate bidding for the 14th place in the North Reykjavík constituency is wanted by the Polish police, RÚV reports. The candidate, Christopher G. Krysynuson (né Krzysztof Gajowski), is accused of embezzlement. The Gryfino police in western Poland have a…
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Whaling Is Back On The Table
The government collapse was a gift for the pro-whaling Independence Party The last weeks of the month brought an unlikely October surprise to Icelandic voters. Thanks to the sudden collapse of the government and a breach of protocol by the Independence Party,…
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Left-Greens Not Participating In Caretaker Government
Vinstri Græn (the Left-Green Movement) have decided not to participate in the caretaker government that will oversee parliament until the Nov. 30 election. Party leader and outgoing infrastructure minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir denied President Halla Tómasdóttir’s request for the party’s ongoing participation in…
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A Smooth Rendition Of Taking Responsibility
A reflection on the resignation of Bjarni Benediktsson On the morning of October 10, Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson held a press conference where he announced his resignation following a ruling by the Parliamentary Ombudsman stating that the minister had not been…
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Former Ice Cream Company CEO New Minister Of Justice
Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir has been named the new Minister of Justice following the resignation of Jón Gunnarsson. Guðrún is an MP for the Independence Party, one of the three parties comprising the ruling coalition government, alongside the Left-Green Movement and the Progressive Party. Guðrún…
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Independence Party Offers “Freedom Burgers”; Art School Says No Thanks
With municipal elections coming up on May 14th, the different parties in the running in Reykjavík are trying different strategies to attract votes. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as helping us to keep the lights…
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Tobacco Giant On Flavour Ban Of New Bill : Undermines Public Health Goals
BAT, otherwise known as British American Tobacco Denmark, submitted a commentary to the Minister of Health’s new bill on nicotine products. BAT is one of the largest tobacco producers in Europe. Minister of Health Willum Þór Þórsson proposed a policy reform which…
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Crowded House: Parliamentary Elections In The Pandemic
Correction: Independence Party candidate Viktor Ingi Lorange is, in fact, neither an immigrant nor of foreign extraction, despite his inclusion amongst these candidates. This was a mistake on my part, and for that I sincerely apologise, to him and to our readers.…
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Former Independence Party Councilman In Support Of Reducing Speed Limits In Capital Area
Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, former Reykjavík City Councilman for the Independence Party, has recently come out in favour of reducing the speed limit on certain roads in the capital area. This goes against what the Independence Party currently wants, as they have been…
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Too Many Disabled People On Benefits, Says Brynjar Níelsson
Independence Party MP Brynjar Níelsson has expressed concern at the high number of disabled people on unemployment benefits. He emphasised that despite empathising greatly with those disabled people who are completely unable to work, he feels that those who can work need…
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Memorial Proposed To Honour Hans Jónatan, Iceland’s First Black Settler
A proposal to erect a memorial to Hans Jónatan, the first known Black settler in Iceland, has been presented to Parliament. Vilhjálmur Bjarnason of the conservative Independence Party put forward a bill to construct a memorial in Djúpivogur to Hans Jónatan, a Black…
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Members Of The Independence Party Criticised For Nazi Imagery
A small cell within the Independence Party has been criticised heavily for their advertise in the conservative newspaper, Morgunblaðið, for its imagery that feels like a reference to Nazism, and even Stalinism like Fréttablaðið reported. In the ad, it was announced that…
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Election Campainful: A Serious Review Of Election Campaign Videos
With only a month to go before municipal elections and a plethora of problems to solve, political parties scramble to rescue Reykjavík from the clutches of the bad guys currently in charge. They claim that yes, they can make all our problems…
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Who’s Running The Show In Iceland Anyway?
We’re now six months from last year’s parliamentary elections, and our government is ostensibly led by the Left-Greens. I say “ostensibly” because recent events can’t help but make you wonder if the Independence Party aren’t the ones actually running the government. The…
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Monday News Edit: What Are Icelanders Talking About?
With no more weather-related complaints to issue, what has been on Icelanders’ minds as of late? Here’s a round-up of fresh debates, hot topics and crazy madness from these past few days. According to a new report from Transparency International, corruption in…
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Independence Party’s Privileged Relationship With Icelandic Media: At What Cost?
The past few years have been complicated for the International press. As the choke on media and freedom of the press is tightened all over the world, the present looks grimmer than ever. The U-turn taken by governments and powerful individuals when…
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Last Words: Maybe This Time Will Be Different
When is history a reliable predictor of future events? The last time a left-wing party formed a government with the Conservatives, it was subsequently mercilessly punished at the polls. The same thing happened the time before—and the time before that. Now that…
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300 Icelandic Female Politicians Open Up About Sexual Harassment
Over 300 Icelandic female politician from across the political spectrum have signed a petition demanding that “all men take responsibility” to stop sexual abuse and harassment. Three of the women then appeared on a TV interview the same day with state broadcaster…
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Don’t Ask Nanna: About The Elections
Hi Nanna, Why do Icelanders keep voting the Independence Party into power? Curious George Hi Curious George, Because as yet, we have been unsuccessful in finding a venue large enough to accommodate a Codependents Anonymous group with 330,000 people in it. JK,…