Reykjavík Grapevine - 23.05.2014, Blaðsíða 10

10
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 06 — 2014
Grapevine’s
Municipal Election
Guide 2014
An American politician once famously said “All politics is lo-
cal,” and that’s as true in Iceland as anywhere else. Four years
after Jón Gnarr was gleefully elected mayor after running on
platform promises of a Disneyland at Vatnsmýri (where the
domestic airport is currently located) and free towels at the
pools, he’s stepping aside. “I think my time has come,” Jón
Gnarr said, announcing his decision on a radio show this fall.
“If I were to do it again, I would have to become a politician
and I’m not one. I’m simply not a politician. I’m a comedian."
There are, however, plenty of folks who would like to take
his place. To help you get to know the candidates for Reykja-
vík’s 2014 municipal election (none of whom, we might add,
are offering anything like a polar bear at the petting zoo),
we reached out to the eight parties running and—because
politicians love nothing better than a good long email from
the press—asked them dozens of questions about their party
policies, as well as city planning and social issues.
Happily, many of them have a lot to say about pressing
issues facing the city. However, our questions and their an-
swers were practically enough to fill the whole damn maga-
zine so we’ve picked out some of them for you here; go to
www.grapevine.is to read our guide in full.
Alþýðufylkingin (xR)
(“The People’s Front Of Iceland”)
Year founded:
2013
List leader:
Þorvaldur Þorvaldsson
Website:
althydufylkingin.blogspot.com
Agenda in one sentence:
“Our programme aims at disconnect-
ing city funds from capitalist inter-
ests and socialising its infrastructure,
for public benefit, by cutting profit-
driven outsourcing and partnerships,
resurrecting public transport, start-
ing city-run workplaces and the city's
own financial institution, and keeping
profit-greedy capital from speculating
in real estate and vacant land.”
Stance on domestic airport:
It should stay where it is unless a bet-
ter solution is found.
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
Increasing poverty, housing and rental
market.
Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn (xD)
(“The Independence Party”)
Year founded: 1929
List leader: Halldór Halldórsson
Website:
xdreykjavik.is
Agenda in one sentence:
“We want to give the people in Reyk-
javík the opportunity to choose which
services they need most and we will
listen to the needs of our residents—
especially regarding major changes
that directly affect their life or com-
munities.”
Stance on domestic airport:
It should stay where it is for now, but
the party will consider recommenda-
tions from the stakeholder committee
and the community.
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
Housing market, primary school re-
form, services to elderly, and the need
to lower taxes.
Björt Framtíð (xA)
(“Bright Future”)
Year founded:
2012
List leader:
S. Björn Blöndal
Website:
reykjavik.bjortframtid.is
Agenda in one sentence:
“We want a well run, well organised,
fun city that respects human rights.”
Stance on domestic airport:
“The airport is not well placed.” The
party will look for stakeholder com-
mittee’s relocation suggestions.
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
Public transportation and city plan-
ning, public health.
Samfylkingin (xS)
(“The Social Democratic Alliance”)
Year founded:
2000
List leader:
Dagur B. Eggertsson
Website:
xsreykjavik.is
Agenda in one sentence:
“We want Reykjavík to develop as an
interesting, liveable, sustainable and
just city that emphasises opportuni-
ties for all its citizens.”
Stance on domestic airport:
Supports current agreement in which
Icelandair and the state are jointly ex
ploring other site options.
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
Housing and rental market; sustain-
able city planning and infrastructure
development.
Dögun (xT)
(“Dawn”)
Year founded:
2008
List leader:
Þorleifur Gunnlaugsson
Website:
dogunreykjavik.is
Agenda in one sentence:
“We are about justice for all people, es-
pecially those in need.”
Stance on domestic airport:
No answer provided.
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
Many people don’t have enough money
to “live their lives with dignity.”
Vinstrihreyfingin - grænt framboð (xV)
(“The Left-Green Movement”)
Year founded:
1999
List leader:
Sóley Tómasdóttir
Website:
vg.is/sveitarstjorn-2014/reykjavik/
Party agenda in one sentence:
“Our vision of Reykjavík is not that
different from our vision for Icelan-
dic society as a whole—we believe in
equality, economic and social justice
and a truly multi-cultural society in
which everyone can feel at home and
blossom.”
Stance on domestic airport:
A stakeholder committee is exploring
alternative locations, but “in the mean-
time, this endless debate draws atten-
tion away from those issues that really
matter.”
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
Increasing income inequality and chil-
dren living in poverty.
Framsókn (xB)
(“The Progressive Party”)
Year founded:
1916
List leader:
Sveinbjörg Birna Sveinbjörnsdóttir
Website:
framsokn.is
Agenda in one sentence:
“We value human dignity above finan-
cial values.”
Stance on domestic airport:
“WE WANT TO KEEP IT WHERE IT
IS.” [Yes, they wrote this answer in all
caps.]
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
City planning and transportation; gov-
ernmental transparency.
Píratar (xÞ)
(“The Pirate Party”)
Year founded:
2012
Captain:
Halldór Auðar Svansson
Website:
piratar.is/sveitarstjorn/reykjavik
Agenda in one sentence:
“We value the protection and expan-
sion of civil liberties, with a unique
focus on direct democracy and trans-
parency.”
Stance on domestic airport:
The party currently has no formal
stance—“there's no rush to decide.”
Biggest issues facing Reykjavík:
A lack of government accountability
and citizen involvement in important
decisions.