The new Independence Party-Social Democrat coalition administration in Iceland takes effect today. Its policy declaration, signed and presented at Thingvellir yesterday, includes equality among all members of society as one of its objectives.
The new administration plans to improve the situation of those who are disadvantaged in society and prioritize issues concerning senior citizens and the younger generation, Morgunbladid reports.
Leader of the Social Democratic Alliance (Samfylkingin) and new Foreign Minister Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir described the new administration as a government of reconciliation.
Gísladóttir said the reconciliation of the conservative Independence Party (Sjálfstaedisflokkurinn) and the left-wing Social Democratic Alliance were reflected in their goal of reconciling different groups in society with different views.
The declaration states that the coalition parties “are determined to create a liberal government of reforms, a robust economy, strong welfare system, improved financial conditions for families and increased ability for companies to compete in the market.”
It is also stated that the last few years of success and prosperity have created opportunities for further achievements for Iceland, which should continue to rank among nations with the highest standard of living.
“There are a lot of nice sentiments there, and I’m sure they mean well, but I find it remarkable how general the phrasing is,” leader of the Left Green Movement (Vinstri graenir) Steingrímur J. Sigfússon told Fréttabladid.
“It is clear that both governmental parties are showing their right sides […]. There are many things that still have to be worked on behind the curtains, which could create conflict between the parties,” said the new leader of the Progressive Party (Framsóknarflokkurinn) Gudni Ágústsson.
According to Fréttabladid, there is nothing in the new administration’s policy declaration to indicate that further large-scale industry projects will be put on hold, as the Social Democrats had promised to fight for before the elections.
This morning the Independence Party-Progressive Party (Framsóknarflokkurinn) coalition government will meet for the last time. Afterwards the old ministers will have lunch with President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson at his residence in Bessastadir.
At 2 pm the members of the new coalition government will meet for the first time.
Click here to read more about the new administration for Iceland’s government.
