The Icelandic government is planning to decrease the number of ministries from 12 to nine. Ideas on how the project should be executed were discussed at a cabinet meeting yesterday and discussions will be resumed in the cabinet on Friday. Posts Tagged ‘Government Of Iceland’
Government of Iceland to Merge Ministries
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010The Icelandic government is planning to decrease the number of ministries from 12 to nine. Ideas on how the project should be executed were discussed at a cabinet meeting yesterday and discussions will be resumed in the cabinet on Friday. Government of Iceland to Support Tourist Industry
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
The government of Iceland decided yesterday to contribute up to ISK 350 million to a marketing initiative to counteract the negative impact the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull has had on bookings at Icelandic tourism companies. Ethical Guidelines Made for Iceland’s President
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Following the report of the Special Investigative Commission, the government of Iceland has decided to make ethical guidelines for the presidential office. The project is currently being prepared in the cabinet. Informal Talks on Icesave Last Week
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
No formal talks on a solution to the Icesave debate have taken place between the government of Iceland, the UK and the Netherlands since the national referendum in Iceland on March 6, although the matter has been discussed informally. Iceland Promises to Pay Icesave Interest
Monday, April 19th, 2010In a new declaration of intent to the International Monetary Fund, the government of Iceland promises to repay in full the cost of Landsbanki’s Icesave deposits to the British and Dutch states, in addition to “normal” interest rates. New Ministry to Replace Icelandic Defense Agency
Monday, April 12th, 2010The government of Iceland is planning to shut down the Icelandic Defense Agency as of January, 2011. Its projects will be relocated to other institutions to begin with and later to a new Ministry of Internal Affairs. Government of Iceland Welcomes Crisis Report
Monday, April 12th, 2010
The Icelandic government welcomes the report published today by the Special Investigative Commission of the Parliament on the causes of the collapse of the Icelandic banking system. Iceland’s Government Loses Support
Friday, March 19th, 2010Currently 38.9 percent of respondents in a new survey by Fréttabladid daily support the government of Iceland, while 61.1 percent of respondents don’t. Both coalition parties have lost significant support from the last survey and the Independence Party is by far the country’s largest political party. Independence Party Chief supports Joint Icesave-Effort
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
Bjarni Benediktsson, Chairman of the Independence Party, says that British and Dutch leaders show Icelanders arrogance. He claims in an interview with Fréttabladid that the negotiations committees for those countries in the Icesave-case have been very rough. According to Benediktsson, the government of Iceland in not in step with the nation. “Now the IMF (International Monetary fund) seems to be getting more flexible towards Iceland.” He also says that he is willing to continue cooperating with the government in trying to reach an equitable solution. Iceland Says Work Continues on Mutual Icesave Deal
Sunday, March 7th, 2010The government of Iceland released a statement in reaction to the first numbers from the Icesave referendum last night, emphasizing that work will continue on finding a mutually acceptable agreement with the governments of the UK and the Netherlands. Icesave talks adjourned
Friday, March 5th, 2010(Icelandic government press release): The Government of Iceland has for the last three weeks been engaged in a dialogue with the Governments of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, hoping for a resolution of the Icesave matter. Discussions to date have been constructive and Iceland is confident that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached. The Icelandic negotations committee returns today from London. Iceland remains committed to a continued dialogue and is hopeful that discussions will resume as early as next week..
Icesave referendum – Official information from the Icelandic government
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
General information about the 6 March referendum on the Icesave issue from the Government of Iceland. Information about press centers and where to vote.
Press centre
From Wednesday 3 March until Sunday 7 March the Foreign Ministry will have a press centre at Iðnó, Vonarstræti 3. The facilities will be very basic; with an internet connection, printer and (most importantly) coffee. We will of course assist you with any information/contacts you may need and plan to set up press briefings Thursday and Friday.
Publishing the results:
Preliminary results are expected a few minutes after the polls close at 22:00 GMT.
For continuous updates on the election results you are probably best served with wire-services or webpages of the largest media outlets (all in Icelandic) www.mbl.is, www.ruv.is www.visir.is. www.icenews.is will provide information in English..
Official results will be announced later and can be found on the official election website: www.kosning.is (partly in English).
Technical assistance
For television and radio in need for technical assistance, contact Sigridur H.Bjornsdottir, sigridurhb@ruv.is, mobile +354 699 1989.
Polling stations
For access to polling stations, no accreditation is needed. Bring a presspass and ask the head of the polling station in question for permission, usually entering is not a problem.
Polling stations in Reykjavik:
• Reykjavik City Hall corner of Vonarstræti and Tjarnargata
• Hagaskoli (school) Fornhaga 1
• Hlidaskoli (school) Hamrahlíð 2
• Kjarvalsstadir (art museum) Flókagötu 24
• Breidagerdisskoli (school) Breiðagerði 20
• Laugardalshöll (sport complex) Engjavegi 8
• Ölduselsskóli (school) Ölduseli 17
• Iþrottamidstödin i Grafarvogi (sport complex) Dalhúsum 2
• Iþrottamidstödin Austurbergi (sport complex) Austurbergi 3
• Borgaskóli (school) Vættaborgum 9
• Arbæjarskoli (school) Rofabæ 34
• Ingunnarskoli (school) Maríubaugi 1
• Klebergsskoli (school) Kjalarnesi
Counting in Reykjavik will take place at Reykjavik City Hall and Hagaskoli. Counting starts mid-day behind closed doors. Media can follow the counting process from 22:00.
- The Icesave issue: http://www.mfa.is/media/Yfirlysingar/The_Icesave_Issue_-_Fact_Sheet.pdf
- Icesave Key figures: http://www.mfa.is/media/Yfirlysingar/The_Icesave_Issue_Key_Figures_-_Fact_Sheet.pdf
- Economic Recovery Programme: http://www.mfa.is/media/Yfirlysingar/Icelands_Economic_Recovery_Programme-_Fact_Sheet.pdf
- Reforms in the Financial Sector: http://www.mfa.is/media/Yfirlysingar/Reforms_in_the_Icelandic_Financial_Sector_-_Fact_Sheet.pdf
- Investigations: http://www.mfa.is/media/Yfirlysingar/Investigations_-_Fact_Sheet.pdf
No Conclusion at London Icesave Meeting
Friday, February 26th, 2010The government of Iceland announced yesterday that the latest round of talks with the governments of the Netherlands and the UK regarding the Icesave loan terms had adjourned without a final resolution. Iceland’s Government and Opposition Agree on Icesave
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010The government of Iceland and the opposition in Iceland’s parliament reached an agreement yesterday on a discussion point to use in renegotiations with British and Dutch authorities on the Icesave obligations. Icelandic Government prepares to submit the Icesave legislation for approval by national referendum and remains fully committed to honor Iceland´s obligations with respect to depositor´s insurance
Friday, January 8th, 2010
The Government of Iceland has decided to hold a national referendum on the so-called Icesave legislation, following broad consultations with both coalition and opposition parties as well as employers? associations and labor unions. The referendum is expected to take place late February.
Government: Iceland still committed to debt repayment
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
(Press release from Icelandic Prime Minister’s office)
The President of Iceland has declined to sign a law authorising a state guarantee for repayment of loans provided by the UK and the Netherlands to the Depositors‘ and Investors‘ Guarantee Fund, intended to cover payment of the minimum deposit guarantees to depositors in the UK and Netherlands branches of the failed Landsbanki Íslands hf. The law was approved by Althing, the Icelandic Parliament, on 30 December 2009. According to the constitution, the President’s decision not to sign the law requires it to be put to general referendum as soon as possible where it needs to be supported by a simple majority of voters in order to remain in force. In the interim, the law enters into force as passed by the Althingi. The Government will now reflect on the decision of the President and review the situation.
Despite the President‘s decision, the government of Iceland remains fully committed to implementing the bilateral loan agreements and thus the state guarantee provided for by the law.
The government views the loan agreements with the UK and the Netherlands as an integral part of Iceland‘s economic programme, as a solution to the uncertainty regarding repayment of deposit insurance required under Icelandic law. It constitutes an important step towards normalizing the external financing of the country. The government’s economic plan, developed in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and with financing from the IMF and governments of the Nordic countries and Poland, remains in effect.
Economic data indicates that the economy is performing better than previously projected and is already showing signs of recovery from the financial crash of late 2008. “The government is committed to ensuring that Iceland honours its international obligations and continues the important work of regaining forward momentum thus ensuring significant new job creation and renewed economic growth,” Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir said in a statement today.
Declaration by the President of Iceland
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
(OFFICIAL TRANSLATION)
The collapse of our banks and the difficulties following in the wake of the world economic crisis have created profound difficulties. Although the Icelandic state has undertaken various liabilities of a magnitude greater than those involved in the Icesave case, the debate on this case has become the focus regarding how we deal with the challenge of the past and also of the future.
The Althingi has now again passed legislation on this matter. This
amends the current law, the Act No. 96/2009, which the Althingi passed
on 28 August and which was based on agreements with the Governments
of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The President approved that
Act on 2 September, with a reference to a special statement.
Following the passing by the Althingi of the new Act on 30
December, the President has received a petition, signed by about a quarter
of the electorate, calling for the Act to be subjected to a referendum. This
is a far larger proportion of the electorate than the criterion that has been
referred to in declarations and proposals from the political parties.
Public opinion polls indicate that the overwhelming majority of the
nation is of the same opinion. In addition, declarations made in the
Althingi and appeals that the President has received from individual
Members of Parliament indicate that the majority of the Members are in
favour of holding such a referendum.
Since the new Act was passed by the Althingi, the President has had
extensive discussions with Ministers in the Government of Iceland: the
Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
and the Minister of Economic Affairs.
It is the cornerstone of the constitutional structure of the Republic of
Iceland that the people are the supreme judge of the validity of the law.
Under the Constitution, which was passed on the foundation of the
Republic in 1944, and which over 90% of the nation approved in a
referendum, the power which formerly rested with the Althingi and the
King was transferred to the people. It is then the responsibility of the
President of the Republic to ensure that the nation can exercise this right.
At this crucial juncture it is also important to emphasise that the
recovery of the Icelandic economy is a matter of vital urgency. Clearly,
agreement with other nations and good cooperation with international
organizations and all other parties that have an influence on the country’s
economy and financial standing are preconditions for this recovery. The
solution of the Icesave dispute is a part of such a harmonious process. It is
also a prerequisite for the nation to be able to regain its former strength as
soon as possible and embark, in collaboration with others, on a
programme of recovery which will secure the welfare and prosperity of
all people in Iceland. In the President’s declaration of 2 September 2009,
it was stated that the solution would have to “take account of the fair
rights of the nation, Iceland’s interests in the years ahead and a shared
international responsibility.”
It has steadily become more apparent that the people must be
convinced that they themselves determine the future course. The
involvement of the whole nation in the final decision is therefore the
prerequisite for a successful solution, reconciliation and recovery.
In the light of all the aforesaid, I have decided, according to Article
26 of the Constitution, to refer this new Act to the people. As stated in the
Constitution, the new Act will nevertheless become law and the
referendum will take place “as soon as possible.”
If the Act is approved in the referendum then naturally it will remain
in force. If the referendum goes the other way, then the Act No. 96/2009,
which the Althingi passed on 28 August, on the basis of the agreement
with the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, will
continue to be law, recognizing that the people of Iceland acknowledge
their obligations. That Act was passed by the Althingi with the
involvement of four of the parliamentary parties, as stated in the
President’s declaration of 2 September.
Now the people have the power and the responsibility in their hands.
It is my sincere hope that this decision will lead to permanent
reconciliation and prosperity for the people of Iceland, at the same time
laying the foundations for good relations with all other nations.
Bessastaðir, 5 January 2010
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
Insider trading Icelandic ministry worker resigns
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Baldur Gudlaugsson, the under-fire permanent secretary from Iceland’s Ministry for Education, Science and Culture has announced he will resign from his post, according to a statement from the Ministry.
In a letter to all staff at the Ministry for Education, Science and Culture, Gudlaugsson says that all the media attention he has received in recent days due to his alleged insider trading (selling personal Landsbanki shares shortly after sitting in on a meeting with UK Chancellor Alistair Darling and shortly before the bank’s collapse in autumn 2008) have had, “A disturbing effect on my daily work, as well as beginning to have a negative effect on the work and trustworthiness of the entire Ministry”.
Gudlaugsson leaves his job in the hope that the Ministry and its staff will be able to continue and develop their work unencumbered by personal allegations against one man. He will leave his post at the ministry and in the government of Iceland at the end of this month, the statement says.
An Unfair Advantage
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009On one side we have ordinary citizens, voters, households and small enterprises.
On the other side we have corporations, financial institutions and business tycoons.
In the middle are these people in the photo above, the government of Iceland.
One side has an array of lobbyists and plentiful resources to influence how these people make decisions.
On important matters they flood their senses with opinions, expert advise, forecasts and promises. Sometimes even threats.
The other side has no options other than to pay and smile. Even though it has common interests, as a whole it is not an organized group.
And the tycoons and corporations have an unfair advantage which politicians allow them.
That is why there hasn’t been a single notable arrest in wake of the economic collapse.
That is why the tycoons and corporations are getting their debts relieved.
That is why Magma Energy got away with a bargain.
That is why Bjorgolfur Thor is investing in a server farm.
That is why the government pumped 200 billion into the money market funds.
And that is why there won’t be a relief of household debt.
Because when the economic ruins have been cleared, there won’t be enough left for the side that is at an unfair disadvantage.