Iceland review - 2013, Side 31

POLITICs
frAmsóKnArfloKKUrinn
(progressive pArTy; pp)
sigmUndUr dAvíð gUnnlAUgsson (Born 1975)
elecTed cHAir in 2009
mp since 2009
l. the pp is in the center.
ll. Correction of mutated mortgages of households, abolishing of
the indexation, simplification of the taxation system and regulatory
environment for businesses, development of the healthcare and
education systems and the affairs of senior citizens and citizens with
disabilities.
lll. We are optimistic about achieving results that will give us the
opportunity to have influence in the next term.
lV. it depends on the issues they highlight. We are prepared to work with
those parties that are prepared to work wholeheartedly on our issues
with us.
V. the pp believes that iceland’s interests are better protected outside
the eu. the pp wants to temporarily pause accession talks and let the
nation decide in a national referendum whether they should continue.
Vl. Call the coalition parties to a meeting and launch the work on a
scheduled strategy on how the debt problem of homeowners is to be
resolved and how increased investment and creation of capital goods is
to be achieved. such a strategy must be completed before parliament
convenes.
sjálfsTæðisfloKKUrinn
(independence pArTy; ip)
BjArni BenediKTsson (Born 1970)
elecTed cHAir in 2009
mp since 2003
l. to the right.
ll. employment issues, the affairs of homeowners and responsible state
finances.
lll. i leave such forecasts to others but am optimistic about support for
the party.
lV. the party which focuses on the same issues as the independence
party and wants to reinforce the economy, improve the situation of
households and promote responsible state finances.
V. the independence party believes that iceland’s interests are best
safeguarded in cooperation with the eu in the power of the eea
agreement but without joining the eu. We believe that the nation
should have the final say on negotiations and accession and therefore
suggested in 2009 that the nation be asked whether talks should begin.
We maintain that this is the only right way. the government has put the
talks in slow motion and it will be in the hands of the new government
to decide on the next steps.
Vl. to enforce our strategy on lowering mortgages, revoking the tax
increases of the outgoing government and laying a basis for a new
phase of stability and growth.
sAmfylKingin
– jAfnAðArmAnnAfloKKUr íslAnds
(sociAl democrATic AlliAnce; sdA)
árni páll árnAson (Born 1966)
elecTed cHAir in 2013
mp since 2007
l. the sda is a center-left party in the icelandic political landscape.
the party first ran for parliament in 1999 and was formally founded the
following year. the sda has deep roots at the left-wing of politics, in
the labor unions and the fight for human rights and women’s liberation
in the past century. the sda is part of the international movement of
social democrats.
ll. the sda spearheads responsible economic management and
stability as it always has. a stable currency that doesn’t cause
inflation is the most important matter of interest for households and
companies. We want to provide housing security at decent long-term
conditions, whether people chose to live in rental housing or buy their
own properties. the sda emphasizes healthy prioritization of state
expenses, iceland’s admission to the eu and adoption of the euro, and
solid welfare based on a diverse economy. the sda carries the banner
of human rights and women’s liberation, guards the rights of immigrants
and promotes peace and international cooperation.
lll. We ask all those who want social democrats to play a key part in
governing the country to support us.
lV. the parties that are prepared to work with the sda on icelandic
society’s most pressing projects: responsible economic management
and a stable economy, admission to the eu and adoption of the euro,
investment in a diverse economy and a secure welfare community for
all.
lV. the sda would like to complete the accession talks with the eu and
have the nation vote on the accession agreement in the new term.
Vl. to assemble all interest groups and seek a wide-reaching agreement
on an economic policy for iceland for the coming years. We must
learn to work together and achieve solidarity on the main goals. We
are all citizens of this country and must be able to share tasks and
responsibility. icelandic politics must be lifted out of the trenches of
the past.