Some argue the Icelandic government has been weakened by Saturday’s massive ‘no’vote in the Icesave referendum and nobody believes its domestic position was improved by it. As a result, members are calling for something to be done.
Social Democrat and Left Green sources contacted by Frettabladid believe the easiest way to reinforce the government is to [...]
Some argue the Icelandic government has been weakened by Saturday’s massive ‘no’vote in the Icesave referendum and nobody believes its domestic position was improved by it. As a result, members are calling for something to be done.
Social Democrat and Left Green sources contacted by Frettabladid believe the easiest way to reinforce the government is to get Ogmundur Jonasson back into the cabinet.
Jonasson resigned from the position of Minister for Health last year as he felt unable to support his party’s line on Icesave; but as the issue has since changed so dramatically, sources claim his return to government is already in the works and could happen shortly after Easter. Aside from the Icesave issue, Jonasson has remained a loyal, and outspoken, Left Green Movement member and an MP.
According to Frettabladid, Social Democrats within government are also enthusiastic about the move because Jonasson is a unifying force within the Green Party that some currently see as two separate parties in all but name.
The paper reports that Jonasson himself has not been pushing to return; but if the expected cabinet reshuffle happens, Jonasson’s place in it, once again as health minister, seems likely. Another possible option is for the two unelected cabinet members drafted in during the crisis to be replaced by Jonasson and a Social Democrat.
Ogmundur Jonasson became Minister for Health in the minority caretaker government from 1st February last year and kept his post after the election in April, but resigned on 20th September. Despite publicly having resigned his position, he told media at the time that it felt more as if he had been forced out.