Iceland review - 2016, Page 22

20 ICELAND REVIEW
GOVERNMENT GOOD ON ELECTION PROMISE
Following Pressure From The oPPosiTion—and despite
opposition from the Progressive Party—the Progressive
Party-Independence Party coalition government has
announced October 29 as the date for the parliamentary
election. After the Panama Papers scandal, the government
promised an early election, which would otherwise have
taken place in spring 2017. The budget bill will not be pre-
sented until after the election but the government is rush-
ing to put forth other resolutions, such as on a program
for first-time homeowners and on extended parental leave.
Surveys show that the Independence Party and Pirate Party
are neck-and-neck, followed by the Left-Green Movement
and the new Reform Party. Support is low for the Social
Democratic Alliance and Progressive Party, which former
Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson—who
stepped down after the Panama Papers scandal—is seeking
to continue to lead in the upcoming campaign. (See an
analysis about the state of affairs on page 78.)
SWIMMING SUCCESS AT OLYMPICS
runner AníTA hinriksdóTTir set a new Icelandic
record in the 800m race at the Olympics in Rio de
Janeiro on August 17. With a time of 2:00:14 min-
utes, she finished sixth in her group and just missed
out on the finals. The Icelandic swimmers were the
most successful of the country’s competitors: Eygló
Ósk Gústafsdóttir came eighth in the 200m back-
stroke finals with a time of 2:09:44, and Hrafnhildur
Lúthersdóttir finished sixth in the 100m breaststroke
finals in 1:07:18 minutes.
PUFFIN CHICKS STARVE
AFTer iniTiAl rePorTs oF A successFul nesting sea-
son, it turned out that 83 percent of puffin hatchlings
in Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) off Iceland’s
south coast had died due to lack of food. The problems
facing the world’s largest puffin colony have persisted
for years, which include ocean warming and shift in
food sources.
DROP THE DIRTY BUSINESS
one oF The eFFecTs oF The recenT Tourism boom
has been pressure on existing infrastructure. With a
lack of facilities to match the increasing numbers—an
estimated 1.73 million in 2016—more and more vis-
itors have been defecating in random places in towns
or outside in nature. To fend off the stinking habit,
landowners have put up signs striking-out a squatting
figure with something dropping out of its behind. The
sign, designed by Þorsteinn Gíslason of SG-Merking,
is selling like hotcakes.
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FITTEST ON EARTH
icelAndic AThleTe kATrín TAnjA dAvíðsdóTTir
defended her title as the world’s fittest woman by win-
ning the CrossFit games in California in July. She is
the second Icelander to win the games twice in a row;
Annie Mist Þórisdóttir was CrossFit world champion
in 2011 and 2012.
News Roundup 1
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We’re expecting a busy summer but you
can check-in 2 1/2 hours before departure
and have plenty of time for refreshments
and shopping in KEF.
We offer unlimited free Wi-Fi, many
charging stations and a range of nice
restaurants and stores. Icelandic design
and quality brands tax and duty free
at the Airport.