Reykjavík Grapevine - 07.01.2006, Síða 10
other alternatives to hydroelectric
power, such as geothermal power. I
believer there is every reason to slow
down, and cool down the economy.”
MP Magnús Hafsteinsson
Independence Party:
“It is, and should be, in constant
re-evaluation. It should be re-
evaluated, but that does not mean
we should back away from it
– I think we should go forward
with it.” MP Kjartan Ólafsson
Sveinn Birkir Björnsson gives us Grapevine’s Government Guide
Grapevine’s Government Guide
Who They Are and How They Vote
(and how you can watch it)
The Leftist-Green Party (Vinstrihreyfingin-
Grænt Framboð)
Guiding principles: Far-left, pro-environmental, anti-NATO, feminist.
Party Chairperson: Steingrímur J. Sigfússon
Number of seats: 5
Registered members: about 1,400
Ministers: none
Strange but true: The Leftist-Green Party makes all their MPs’ financial
information available through their web page, including stock ownership.
Website: www.vg.is
E-mail: vg@vg.is
Phone: 552-8872
Address: Pósthólf 175, 121 Reykjavík
The Social Democratic Party (Samfylkingin)
Guiding principles: Left-centrist, social-democratic.
Party Chairman: Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir
Number of seats: 20
Registered members: about 20,000
Ministers: none
Strange but true: The party’s women’s movement has a web page with yellow
text on a white background. It’s not as stylish as it sounds, and even less
pragmatic.
Website: www.samfylking.is
E-mail: samfylking@samfylking.is
Phone: 414-2200
Address: Hallveigarstígur 1 (2nd Floor), Box 160, 101 Reykjavík
The Progressive Party
(Framsóknarflokkurinn)
Guiding principles: Right-centrist; believes in fewer economic and
environmental regulations while strengthening the social system.
Party Chairman: Halldór Ásgrímsson
Number of seats: 12
Registered members: about 10,000
Ministers: Prime Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson, Minister of Social Affairs
Árni Magnússon, Minister of Agriculture Guðni Ágústsson, Minister of
Health Jón Kristjánsson, Minister of Industry Valgerður Sverrisdóttir
Strange but true: According to the latest Gallup poll, The Progressive Party,
from which Prime Minister Ásgrímsson comes, only enjoys the support of
9.4% ot the population.
Website: www.framsokn.is
E-mail: framsokn@framsokn.is
Phone: 540-4300
Address: Hverfisgata 33 (2nd Floor), 101 Reykjavík
The Liberal Party (Frjálslyndir)
Guiding principles: Right-centrist, emphasising the
rights of fishermen and increasing government transparency.
Party Chairman: Guðjón Kristjánsson
Number of seats: 3
Registered members: about 2,000
Ministers: none
Strange but true: According to a survey by Viðskiptablaðið, Liberal Party
MPs have the best web pages of all Icelandic MPs.
Website: www.frjalslyndir.is
E-mail: xf@xf.is
Phone: 552-2600
Address: Aðalstræti 9, 101 Reykjavík
The Independence Party
(Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn)
Guiding principles: Right wing, believes in further privatization in all areas
of society.
Party Chairman: Geir H. Haarde
Number of seats: 23
Registered members: about 34,000
Ministers: Minister of Finance Árni M. Mathiesen, Minister of Justice
Björn Bjarnason, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geir H. Haarde, Minister of
the Fisheries Einar K. Guðfinnson, Minister of the Environment Sigríður A.
Þórðardóttir, Minister of Communications Sturla Böðvarsson, Minister of
Education Þórgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir
Strange but true: Among the party’s goals stated before last parliamentary
elections (2003) was: “to move Iceland from seventh to first place on the
United Nations’ list of countries in the world where it is most desirable to
live.” According to 2005 rankings, Iceland is number seven.
Website: www.xd.is
E-mail: xd@xd.is
Phone: 515-1700
Address: Háaleitisbraut 1, 105 Reykjavík
Is it time to re-evaluate the government’s plans
for heavy industry?
Progressive Party:
“Yes, I would say so. Both because
such plans should be in constant
re-evaluation. Premises change,
attitude towards the environment
and nature change. But we
also need to make sure that the
plans are economically viable.”
MP Kristinn H. Gunnarsson
Liberal Party:
“Yes, I think that is obvious. I think
it is time to stop and consider where
we are heading, not least consider
So where do they stand on . . .
Leftist-Green Party:
“We don’t need to re-evaluate it, we
need to throw it away. It is time to
wager on progressive employment
market.” MP Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir
Social Democratic Party:
“Such plans should be constantly
re-evaluated. We need to make
informed decisions, which areas do
we utilise and which areas do we
protect? A general plan would be a
good tool in that area.” MP Ágúst
Ólafur Ágústsson
G
Ú
N
D
I
10
oming up is an organ recital on
21 JANUARY at noon by one of
Iceland's most promising young
organists, Guðmundur Sigurðsson, playing
the magnificent Klais-organ which
attracts each year many of the world's
most accomplished organists taking
part in the festival Summer Evening at
the Organ. Among those playing this
summer are Thomas Trotter from England
and Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin
from Paris.
he church Hallgrímskirkja
towering over Reykjavík and
nabouring communities plays an
important role in Reykjavík's vibrant
cultural life.
THE CHURCH'S FRIENDS OF THE ARTS
SOCIETY offers a diverse and
extensive cultural programme all
year round with choir concerts,
organ recitals, art exhibitions and
various other events to be enjoyed
by local people and tourists alike.
ARTS ALL YEAR ROUND IN
HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA CHURCH
CT
Please visit our website for further information, www.hallgrimskirkja.is.