Prime Minister of Iceland Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir said in parliament yesterday that it is absurd to interpret the results of the national referendum on Saturday, where Icelanders rejected the Icesave legislation, as a vote of no confidence for the government.
Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir. Photo by Páll Kjartansson.
Sigurdardóttir pointed out that many of the government’s supporters had rejected the legislation along with its opponents, visir.is reports.
The prime minister said the outcome of the referendum had not been surprising. Now it is important to continue with the Icesave talks, which she said had moved along in the direction of a new agreement last week. She also said that British and Dutch authorities had agreed to continued negotiations.
Sigurdardóttir criticized the opposition in her speech in parliament yesterday for wanting to take control but have no part in the responsibility.
Chairman of the largest opposition party, Bjarni Benediktsson of the Independents, stated in parliament yesterday that the government has failed the Icelandic people and said its life is hanging by a thread after the referendum, visir.is reports.
Benediktsson said the Icelandic nation had sent a clear message with their choice in the referendum, by rejecting the agreement which the government fought for last year. He wants the leaders of the government to take responsibility for their actions.
The MP also said the UK has not shown any intention to meet Iceland’s demands in the Icesave dispute. Their latest offer only means that they are prepared to give up their profits from the loan but that all of the risk is still with Iceland.
Click here to read more about the outcome of the referendum and here to read more about the British reaction.
