Iceland review - 2013, Qupperneq 30

28 ICELAND REVIEW
leAders of Tomorrow
QUesTions
Answers
By EyglÓ Svala arNarSDÓTTir
PHOTOS By gEir ÓlafSSoN
l. What is your party’s political orientation?
ll. What issues does your party emphasize in the campaign
for the 2013 election?
lll. How do you anticipate your odds at the election?
lV. Which party (or parties) would you prefer for a coalition?
V. What is your party’s position on the European Union talks?
Vl. What would be your first task as Prime Minister?
POLITICs
With veteran politicians stepping aside, a new generation has taken
lead of Iceland’s largest political parties. Iceland Review asked
each of them six questions on their parties’ policies, the
April 27 general election and their future plans.
BjörT frAmTíð (BrigHT fUTUre; Bf)
HeiðA KrisTín HelgAdóTTir (Born 1983)
gUðmUndUr sTeingrímsson (Born 1972)
elecTed co-cHAirs in 2012
never Been mp/mp since 2009
l. We define ourselves as a broadminded, liberal, green and pacifist
party.
ll. to conclude accession talks with the eu and afterwards set a clear
future economic policy. also work towards finding financial solutions
for those who need them and review the administrative and social
system that allows far too much waste of talent, time and money.
lll. the party will receive as high a percentage of votes as it deserves.
lV. a party or parties we can envision working with in harmony for
the next four years in taking on many demanding projects, making
improvements and amendments. it also depends on how the parties
act during their campaigns—whether they speak respectfully about
other people and other opinions.
V. We want to complete negotiations, obtain as good an agreement
as possible and refer it to a national referendum.
Vl. talk to people, review the situation and call my mom [says heiða].
vinsTriHreyfingin – grænT frAmBoð
(lefT green movemenT; lgm)
KATrín jAKoBsdóTTir (Born 1976)
elecTed cHAir in 2013
mp since 2007
l. our movement is to the left and green—we emphasize equality and
social justice, the environment, pacifism and women’s liberation. so the
scale from left to right is not sufficient.
ll. our priority is to strengthen society’s healthcare, welfare and education
systems. in order to do that, we must guarantee equal and stable
economic gain on a sustainable basis. We intend to do that with continued
development of a diverse economy with focus on innovation, hi-tech and
creative industries. We stress that the development of the employment
market and the economy must be sustainable so that the resources of
nature and society aren’t overexploited.
lll. i’m a preacher not a prophet.
lV. i believe a socially-minded government with participation of the left-
greens is the best option for icelandic society.
V. the left-greens oppose iceland’s membership to the eu but still believe
that it is important that the nation is given the chance to take a position on
the matter. therefore we have issued a resolution stating that membership
talks should conclude within a year from the start of the new term and that
the agreement be voted on in a national referendum.
Vl. Make a strategy to guarantee increased equality, economic stability and
sustainable economic growth powered by innovation.