(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Iceland want a change of government sooner rather than later, according to a poll by Frettabladid. 63.9 per cent of respondents support the idea of having a general ballot before the next one is due in 2011, while 29.3 per cent disagree.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Iceland want a change of government sooner rather than later, according to a poll by Frettabladid. 63.9 per cent of respondents support the idea of having a general ballot before the next one is due in 2011, while 29.3 per cent disagree.
Icelandic voters renewed the Diet in May 2007. Final results gave the Independence Party (SSF) 36.6 per cent of the vote and 25 seats, followed by the Social Alliance (SF) with 26.8 per cent and 18 mandates. Independence Party leader Geir Haarde retained his post as prime minister, and Social Alliance leader and former Reykjavik mayor Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir took over as foreign minister.
Iceland has been severely affected by a domestic economic crisis. Earlier this year, the country’s three major banks—Glitnir, Landsbanki and Kaupthing—collapsed following setbacks in their refinancing plans. The Icelandic krona has lost 35 per cent of its value against the euro. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and individual countries have provided $10 billion U.S. on loans to Iceland.
On Nov. 28, Haarde—who has been criticized for a perceived lack of regulation of the banking sector—ruled out stepping down from his post.
On Nov. 29, Icelandic media reported that close to 4,000 people protested against the government’s handling of the economic crisis and asked for the Diet’s dissolution. Hordur Torfason, an artist who has been organizing weekly protests in front of the Icelandic legislature in Reykjavik, declared: "The meeting went very well and there was a really good atmosphere at Austurvollur (square). (…) Before the meeting ended, I asked people if they wanted to do it again next week. The answer was unanimous."
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose holding a general election before 2011?
|
Support |
63.9% |
|
Oppose |
29.3% |
|
Not sure |
6.8% |
Source: Frettabladid
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 800 Icelandic adults, conducted on Nov. 22, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
