Recently Iceland had its parliamentary elections, roughly a week before we arrived in Reykjavik. Given the recent economic collapse of the countries finances in October of 2008, the only issues of major discussion was economic recovery and the prospect of European Union membership. One week before the election the sitting interim Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurxardóttir of the Social Democratic Party, announced that if elected she would pursue EU membership and adoption of the Euro. The election results found that the Social Democrats and the Green party won the election by a wide margin removing the Independence party from power after 18 years in control. The new Prime Minister has already introduced legislation to the Althing, the Icelandic Parliament, to begin the process of application to the EU, and to join it by 2011. This being said, environmental issues have fallen astray from public view during this crisis and a focus on International politics with the EU in particular. Membership would have a large effect on the nations largest industry, fishing, and also force several restrictions on Iceland on issues such as Forestry management and banning the practice of commercialized whaling.
This is from Ross BTW
ReplyDeleteIceland has an opportunity with the new government to become a shining example for other countries on issues of spending, government involvement, resource management, and foreign affairs. People all over the world are watching Iceland recover and can use Iceland as an example to learn from. The managed themselves well into the transition of a recovery period and are now re-building with issues like green and peace at the core of it all.
ReplyDeletepost by Patrick Austinson
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