IF A populist electoral eruption were understandable anywhere, it would surely be in Iceland. The old-guard parties’ mismanagement of the economy a decade ago led to a collapse that was epic even in the context of the global financial crisis. Since then the country’s politics have been roiled by periodic scandals. Last year the then prime minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson (pictured right), resigned after his name was linked to the “Panama papers” scandal. Then, in September, news broke that the newish prime minister, Bjarni Benediktsson (pictured centre), had concealed the fact that his father had helped a paedophile to restore his reputation. That prompted elections for the third time in four years, which took place on October 28th.
Early on in the campaign the Pirates, a protest party, and the Left-Green Movement, one of Iceland’s most left-wing outfits, were polling well. Yet, as in last year’s election, parties tied to the establishment ended up doing much...Continue reading
Souce: Europe http://ift.tt/2yYxU1T
EmoticonEmoticon