Former Mayor of Reykjavík Vilhjálmur Th. Vilhjálmsson was confronted with the conclusion of the report issued by a multi-partisan committee investigating the legality of the Reykjavík Energy Invest (REI) and Geysir Green Energy (GGE) merger, yesterday.
Vilhjálmsson was interviewed on RÚV’s news review program Kastljós and asked whether he had been given the authority to agree to the merger on behalf of Reykjavík Energy (OR), in which Reykjavík City holds a stake, given that two lawyers to Iceland’s Supreme Court doubt his authority in the committee’s report, presented yesterday, Fréttabladid reports.
Vilhjálmsson said he had indeed had the authority to agree to the merger and had been given permission by the Reykjavík City lawyer. Kristbjörg Stephensen currently holds that post.
“I would never deal with a case like this before being absolutely certain that I have permission. […] It is also clear that individuals within the system would have warned the mayor about not making such an agreement without the proper authority,” Vilhjálmsson said.
Fréttabladid was unable to reach Stephensen.
