Eythór Arnalds, who heads the list for the Independence Party in the municipality of Árborg, south Iceland, has decided to withdraw from politics indefinitely after being arrested on drunk-driving charges this weekend, news channel NFS reports. Arnalds, who enjoyed vast popular support in the rapidly developing municipality, will continue to be in the running for local mayor. Should his party be elected in the municipal elections later this month he will not take a seat on the local council until his case has been cleared by the courts and his sentence served, if any. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />
Arnalds was arrested early Sunday morning after a vehicle he was driving hit a traffic sign, leveling it to the ground, and subsequently left the scene. Witnesses alerted police, who apprehended the vehicle a short while later. In a statement, Arnalds says that he regrets the incident and takes full responsibility. He has also decided to seek treatment for alcohol abuse.
