"Iceland forms center-right government" May 23, 2013
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — The leader of the center-right Progressive Party was chosen as Iceland’s new prime minister Wednesday and promptly announced a halt to talks with the European Union about joining the 27-nation bloc.
What wonderful people! They put the left in to jail the bankers, then put the right back in to stay out of the EU!
Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson spoke about the policy shift at a press conference after being selected premier.
‘‘The government intends to halt negotiations between Iceland and the European Union,’’ he said. ‘‘We will not hold further negotiations with the European Union without prior referendum.’’
Iceland has engaged in talks with the EU for several years. Gunnlaugsson’s party has been opposed, in part because members fear that joining would mean giving up control of Iceland’s fishing stocks.
The new government will also include Bjarni Benediktsson, head of the conservative Independent Party, who will serve as the minister of finance.
Icelanders voted April 27, returning to power the parties that had governed for decades before the 2008 economic collapse, the Independents and the Progressive Party.
--more--"
