Today at approximately 3pm local Iceland time, Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde announced to President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson that he was stepping down and the coalition government between Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn (D) and Samfylkingin (S) has collapsed.
Yesterday, the minister of Finance, Björgvin G. Sigurðsson (D), resigned his post in what was viewed as a move to protect his political future. At the time, he announced those responsible for regulating the banking industry were also stepping down. Meanwhile, former Prime mInister Davið Oddsson, now Head of the National Bank has not relinquished power.
The President has asked the current ministers to retain their posts while an interim government is formed. A date for elections is expected to be announced soon.
The usual finger pointing and speculation that's part of the drama in politics are now popping up.
Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn is still trying to hold onto power all the while, ignoring the outpouring of pubic sentiment over the continued presence of Davið Oddsson. (The protests on Saturday drew the largest crowds to date) Rumor has it that Samfylkingin was the driving force behind today's events. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, has suggested that Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, the Minister for Social Affairs, be the next Prime Minister in the interim government. Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is one of the few politicians not tainted by the economic crisis. She is considered perhaps the most well-liked minister today. If she becomes the Prime MInister, she will be the first female Prime Minister in the history of Iceland.
News in English
BREAKING NEWS: Iceland’s Coalition Government Terminated
January 26, 2009
The ruling coalition is over
Newsfrettir, January 26, 2009
News in Icelandic (these links include photos of the individuals above):
Forsetinn veitir ekki stjórnarmyndunarumboð í kvöld
President delays forming new government tonight
January 26, 2009
Ætlar ekki að rjúfa þing
President will not break up parliament
January 26, 2009
Jóhanna yrði fyrsti kvenforsætisráðherrann
Jóhanna would be the first female Prime MInister
January 26, 2009
Björgvin, Jónas og stjórn FME láta af störfum
Björgvin, Jónas and board of Finance step down
January 25, 2009
Previous Diary
Tip of the iceberg - politics in Iceland today
January 23, 2009