Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.06.2013, Side 15

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Lögberg-Heimskringla • 15 júní 2013 • 15
Qualifications, not gender,
determinative
State Radio News –
Minister of Finance and
Economic Affairs Bjarni
Benediktsson (Independence
Party) has dismissed criticism
from the Opposition to the
effect that there is nothing
in the Government’s policy
declaration regarding
State finances. Prime
Minister Sigmundur Davíð
Gunnlaugsson (Progressive
Party) said that fewer women
than men in his Government was
not a sign of gender inequality.
He said that qualifications
were determinative. Former
ministers have criticised the
new Government’s policy
declarations for lack of content
regarding State finances and
lack of clarity. Benediktsson
said that this was not correct –
there is great emphasis placed
on achieving balance in State
finances. The new Government
has certain concerns that the
current situation calls for a
reassessment of the ability
to achieve overall balance
next year. On the other hand,
achieving overall balance and
coming out on the right side of
zero is a priority. Benediktsson
also said that stability is
the central theme of the
Government collaboration and
Government Coalition. On the
other hand, he said he was ready
to take criticism, even before
he takes over his ministry.
There has been criticism that
the Government consists of
three women and six men
ministers. PM Gunnlaugsson
said that the ministers were not
selected on the basis of their
gender. When asked about
the displeasure expressed
by Vigdís Hauksdóttir (MP-
PP) because she had not been
selected as one of the ministers,
the PM replied that there are
many richly qualified people
in the PP’s Parliamentary
Group. Fortunately many were
interested in a ministerial post,
and it is quite understandable
that very qualified people
who did not become ministers
this time are not particularly
pleased about it.
Gudfinnsson thankful
for opportunity
mbl.is – Einar K.
Guðfinnsson (MP-Indepen-
dence Party), former Minister of
Fisheries, said that he was very
thankful for the opportunity
to serve in the very dignified
office of President of Alþingi.
He said that he felt the weight of
his responsibility in this under-
taking. Electing him to this
position will be on the agenda of
the summer session of Alþingi.
He proclaimed collaboration
with MPs from the Opposition
parties. “What I am primarily
interested in is attaining very
broad collaboration with all
MPs,” he said. He added that
all Presidents of Alþingi – past
and present – have always been
dedicated to being President of
the entire Alþingi, all MPs.
Departing PM content
Morgunblaðið – “I am at
peace with and pleased with
how well my Government
succeeded,” departing Prime
Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
(Social Democratic Alliance)
told journalists as she arrived at
her last meeting of the Cabinet
Council. She said that she
hoped there would be as much
strength in the new Government
as the one that is departing.
She said that her Government
of the SDA and Leftist Green
Party had achieved good
results in the previous electoral
period. She added that she
had hoped for more decisive
solutions regarding the debts of
households in the Government
Coalition of the Progressive
Party and Independence Party
since they had promised during
the election campaign to address
these matters “vigorously”.
New ministers looking
forward to tasks
State Radio News – New
Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi
Sveinsson (Progressive Party)
told SRN that he felt very
good about the projects of the
upcoming electoral period. For
example, he will apply himself
to the issues of Arctic areas.
The new Minister of Education,
Science and Culture Ilugi
Gunnarsson (Independence
Party) said that education was
the biggest economic issue.
Even though none of those
becoming ministers in the new
Government have experience
with such work, they all feel
comfortable with their new
roles, and some of them have
considerable parliamentary
experience. Sveinsson emph-
asises strengthening ties with
other countries. “Our emphasis
should of course continue to be
on the Arctic areas,” he said, on
making positive contributions
and strengthening our position
there. “Then I am also greatly
interested in reawakening and
strengthening our connection
with North America,” as well
as eyeing the fast-growing
markets there.
PM wants to consider all
ideas
visir.is – Radio Bylgjan
interviewed Prime Minister
Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson
(Progressive Party), among
other things, about his
comments on the status of
the State Treasury right after
the elections and the previous
Government’s investment plan.
He said that the plan contained
many good points, and “we will
follow up on the best ones.”
However the premises for this
plan are not currently in place,
but, on the other hand, “they can
be changed pretty quickly.” He
talked about the establishment
of a correction fund that the
Rightist Greens spoke of in the
lead-up to the elections, and said
he deemed the idea excellent.
He said that the Government
had been considering other
implementations. “The Gov-
ernment must be ready to
examine all ideas, regardless
of their origin.” He noted that
this approach had proved out
well for him since he began in
politics, to seek out those with
the best knowledge in each
field, whether they were inside
or outside of his party, and he
said that he would continue
doing this on behalf of the
Government. He said it was
necessary to get a grip on state
operations and inflation, adding
that abolition of restrictions is
the biggest undertaking. “It is
in everyone’s interests to create
conditions making it possible
to abolish the restrictions,”
he said. He added that when
everyone has mutual stakes,
this is easier.
FIFVO applauds fishing fee
stance
visir.is – Chairman of the
Board of the Federation of
Fishing Vessel Owners Adolf
Guðmundsson said that the new
Government clearly intends to
scrutinise the levying of fishing
fees on the fisheries industry.
Apparently there are ideas
of a fixed fee that all parties
will pay and, in addition, fees
calculated for each company. “I
am pleased that this will be re-
examined,” said Guðmundsson.
Furthermore, he hopes that the
new Government will keep its
pledge regarding dialogue with
industries on matters affecting
them directly and indirectly.
In his view this failed during
the tenure of the previous
Government, “with struggles
that everyone is familiar
with”. However, Guðmundsson
can only see that the new
Government views the next
steps to take in a light similar to
FIFVO’s. In an interview with
Fréttablaðið, new Minister of
Fisheries, Agriculture and the
Environment Sigurður Ingi
Jóhannsson (Progressive party)
said he would seek to achieve
the broadest possible accord on
the industries. Consultation will
be substantially increased.
Reprinted with permission from
INB, published by KOM PR
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