It is self explanatory that there is not much sympathy worldwide for a country which first behaved irresponsibly and then tried to export its problems to other countries.
Like other countries which have run their economies into the ground – including Greece as a good example - Iceland must take responsibility for itself. So even if the Icelanders voted no and every last one of them had banged pots and pans in the streets of Reykjavik, the global community has to remain steadfast. If the Icelanders can not agree with the Dutch and the British about payment terms, then they naturally can not expect further loans from either the IMF, the Nordic countries or progression in the EU talks.
It must be noted for fairness sakes that the Icelanders have underlined that their position is not one of not paying, but about the details. And Netherlands and the UK have listened. When Iceland voted no anyhow, the two countries had already offered a better deal, which the Icelandic leadership had already rejected as not good enough. It does not bear witness of either humility or sense of reality.
From Denmark’s Berlingske Tidende (in Danish)
Berlingske noting that Icelanders seem to lack the understanding that actions have consequences.
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The National Museum of Iceland opened a new exhibition this weekend where objects that were used during the series of protests in the wake of the 2008 economic collapse (“The Pots’ and Pans’ Revolution”) are on display.
Several hundred people gathered outside the Icelandic parliament on Austurvollur Square in Reykjavik yesterday to protest on behalf of struggling householders. The three speakers were very well received by the crowd as they called, among other things, for continued payment strikes.
A growing group of around 700 protesters are outside Iceland’s Althingi parliament in Reykjavik, where discussions are being held about the contract agreed upon between Iceland and the UK And Netherlands late last week over the failed Icesave savings accounts.