MPs from both ruling parties, the Social Democrats and the Left-Greens, are keen on attempting renegotiation with the UK and the Netherlands on Icesave. The Icelandic government and the opposition parties are trying to reach an agreement on the matter.
President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson announces his decision to veto the Icesave legislation and send it to a national referendum. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
The leaders of all political parties who have seats in parliament met yesterday in an attempt to reach an agreement on a joint policy on Icesave, Fréttabladid reports.
Renegotiation is an option, sources from within the ruling parties told the newspaper, provided the British and Dutch governments agree.
Icelandic ministers and officials have been in constant contact with their colleagues in the Netherlands and the UK since the Icelandic president vetoed the Icesave legislation earlier this week.
According to Fréttabladid’s sources, there is nothing indicating that the British and Dutch governments are willing to renegotiate.
However, should renegotiation take place, it has been recommended that an independent mediator participate.
The latest name to be mentioned in that regard is that of Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere. Joschka Fischer, former foreign minister and vice chancellor of Germany, has also been mentioned.
Not much has been revealed about what Iceland’s new negotiation goal should be; the first step is to reach a cross-political agreement on that in Iceland.
The political leaders who attended the meeting yesterday wouldn’t reveal what they had been discussing. They said whether cross-political cooperation is realistic will be determined in the coming days.
Were Icesave to be renegotiated, a national referendum on the Icesave legislation of December 30 wouldn’t be necessary anymore.
A referendum is being prepared and, unless the situation changes, it will take place no later than March 6.
Click here to read more about Icesave.
