A week is a long time in pólitík

#122

Halló!

Today we are discussing … pólitík!

More specifically our new government, which frankly I am rather chuffed about.

Brief aside: I have opened a chat for paid subscribers, if you wish to discuss any parts of this newsletter, or have questions or comments about our new political landscape.

I drafted this post before the end of the year and was going to tweak it before sending it out today … but a week is a long time in politics, as they say, and yesterday we had some startling news: Bjarni Benediktsson, aka “Iceland’s most corrupt politician”, head of the Independence Party, who has been prime minister, foreign minister, finance minister, food minister, prime minister once again … in short, the dude who always pops up again no matter how often he is beaten down, has RESIGNED as MP and as head of the Independence Party, after 20 years at the forefront of Icelandic politics. He’s quit. Retired. Bid farewell. Done a skedaddle. OUT.

Mind you, perhaps we should not celebrate too early since the last time Bjarni “resigned” after being caught red-handed—his way of showing “accountability”—he turned up a week later in another ministry. But no, he can’t do that now, because he isn’t king any more! No more power to the BB!

We now have a Valkyrie government, and so far they are taking no prisoners!

This is where I would insert a photo of our new government but I cannot find one that does not violate someone’s copyright so instead here is a photo of three Valkyrie puffins:

Back to the post I initially drafted

We Icelanders got a sparkly Christmas present this year: a new government. On December 21, the winter solstice (significant), the three women who are the leaders of the three parties that make up the new coalition revealed the main points of their coalition agreement and announced their cabinet picks.

I am not ashamed to say that I welled up just a tad when, just after they had signed the agreement at a press conference, they stood up and joined in a big group hug. I mean …!! How many times have you seen that in the game of politics?

Pardon my very imperfect screenshot of the moment taken from the RÚV website

It was amazing to witness the energy between the three of them, and the evident trust. To say nothing of how finally we have a government that is ready to roll up its sleeves and get to work, and that is not solely there for the cronies and special-interest friends of the Independence Party. Even though these three parties have different emphases, they are united by the same core values. Not to mention that it is a government led by three parties, that all are led by women.

And the hug was genuine: by their own admission they have become firm friends, forged during the coalition talks in December that mostly were conducted at each others’ homes, curled up on the couch, occasionally popping off to the kitchen to make tea or hot chocolate while talking and debating. So wholesome!

Naturally not all talks went on beneath cozy blankets on couches—there were many meetings with experts and advisors, and the coalition agreement is well-thought-out and realistic. It won’t be easy, but their approach is characterized by both humility and steely determination—a great combo if you ask me.

Some of the plans outlined in the agreement

• A tax on the use of our common resources. This is huge. For far too long our resources have been given to the cronies of the Independence Party to exploit at will, bringing them incredible wealth while contributing little to the common coffers. Those cronies will now be taxed.

• Admission charges to view natural sites that are owned by the state and that are beset by tourism.

• Arrivals tax for tourists. Something that has been talked about for a long time. The idea is to help offset the strain on infrastructure caused by mass tourism, including law enforcement, roads, housing, and health care.

• Measures to curb Airbnb, Booking et al, specifically by restricting the activities of investment companies that snap up housing to offer as short-term rentals to tourists. This to offset the housing crisis that is exacerbated by these rentals.

• Major improvements to care for the elderly and disabled, including measures to facilitate inclusivity and equality.

• The possible resumption of membership talks with the EU, pending a national referendum on the subject.

Truly, it’s like a breath of fresh air: sane, down-to-earth and humane. And nb this list is by no means exclusive.

Our new Prime Minister is Kristrún Frostadóttir, an economist and head of the Social Democratic Party, who is whip-smart, forceful, and no-nonsense. At age 36 she is the youngest state leader in the world. On her first day as PM she launched an initiative to gather suggestions for cost-saving measures within the public sector, from the general public. Already around 2,300 suggestions have been received through a dedicated online form, and a committee has been appointed to sift through and decide which can and will be implemented.

A few more points of interest

• The new cabinet is composed of seven women and four men.

• Our new Minister of Finance is a professor of economics from the University of Iceland, a specialist in environmental and resource economics, and not a member of parliament. I find it very reassuring that this coveted position is given to a professional with expert knowledge of a subject that this government wants to focus on (resources), not some party loyalist handed a cushy well-paid job in return for favours (as we have grown used to in recent years).

• Our new Minister of Health is Alma Möller, previously Director of Health, who steered our nation through the pandemic.

• Iceland now has women in numerous top leadership roles: the Prime Minister, President, Bishop of the National Church, Director of Health, Foreign Minister, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Health are all women.

A highly auspicious start to 2025 if you ask me. 🎉