Bjarni Benedictsson | Photo courtesy: AFP
Iceland’s three-party coalition government collapsed on Sunday over disagreements over policy issues, Prime Minister Bjarni Benedictsson said, calling new elections in November.
Mr. Benedictson, head of the conservative Independence Party, told presspersons that tensions have risen within the left-right coalition over issues ranging from foreign policy to asylum seekers and energy.
The coalition was composed of the Independence Party, the left-Green Movement, and the center-right Progressive Party.
Mr Benedictson said, “In the last election these issues were discussed less than they should be discussed now”, emphasizing that “it’s more for the future (left-green) than what I want to stand for. ) How different is the approach of the movement”.
“It is best if the government has a similar approach,” he told the online media site. vizier Adding: “It’s frustrating when projects are put on hold or circumstances change.”
He said he would meet with Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir on Monday to submit a proposal to dissolve parliament and call for parliamentary elections in late November.
Mr Benedictsson takes over as prime minister in April 2024, succeeding Katrin Jacobsdottir.
published – October 14, 2024 09:09 am IST