“Iceland is in for another storm”

Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson PM. He and his government will be …

Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson PM. He and his government will be facing a vote of no confidence tomorrow. Photo: mbl.is/Styrmir Kári

Iceland’s government hangs by a thread this evening as opposition parties prepare to bring an official motion of no confidence against it when parliament reconvenes after the Easter break tomorrow.

“There is nothing else for it after this evening’s revelations,” says Pirate Party MP Birgitta Jónsdóttir.

The Kastljós programme revealed details of the 'Panama Papers' at …

The Kastljós programme revealed details of the 'Panama Papers' at the same time this evening as media in over 80 other countries.

She is referring to a special edition of Iceland’s Kastljós current affairs discussion programme (link in Icelandic) dealing with this evening’s publication of the ‘ Panama Papers ’, a collection of millions of documents leaked from a Panamanian law film showing how influential people have exploited tax havens.

The list of those connected with offshore companies – with the alleged intention of hiding their assets – includes the Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson and two cabinet ministers . This evening’s Kastljós exposé has rocked Icelandic society, generating fury and disbelief on social media.

Ólöf Nordal (left) and Bjarni Benediktsson (right) are the two …

Ólöf Nordal (left) and Bjarni Benediktsson (right) are the two ministers whose names are also found in the Panama Papers. Photo: Árni Sæberg

“Iceland is in for another storm, it seems,” writes Süddeutsche Zeitung , alluding to the catastrophic crash of the Icelandic banking system in 2008, from which the country is just emerging.

The major revelation for many in this evening’s programme involves Wintris Inc., a company based in the well-known tax haven of the British Virgin Islands.

Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson PM and his wife Anna Sigurlaug Pálsdóttir.

Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson PM and his wife Anna Sigurlaug Pálsdóttir. Photo: mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson

The company is claiming millions from the bankrupt estates of Iceland’s fallen banks and was recently revealed to be owned by the Prime Minister’s wife Anna Sigurlaug Pálsdóttir .

PM Gunnlaugsson has been accused of a major conflict of interest, inasmuch as he – as PM – was instrumental in striking a deal for the banks’ claimants while himself being closely related to one of them.

This document shows the PM and his wife were once …

This document shows the PM and his wife were once joint owners of Wintris Inc. Photo: Screenshot/Süddeutsche Zeitung

The PM’s defence has centred on the fact that the company was owned by his wife, not him. Tonight’s exposé, however, revealed that he was indeed 50% owner of the company from the moment it was set up.

On 31 December 2009, Gunnlaugsson sold his half of the company to his wife for the nominal sum of $1. The very next day, a new Icelandic law entered into force which would have obliged him to declare the existence of Wintris Inc. as a conflict of interest. The timely sale released him from any such obligation.

Opposition figures in Iceland have described the case as “inexcusable” and a “stain on Iceland’s international reputation” and the PM of this tiny Nordic nation is making the headlines across the world.

A meeting of opposition leaders will be held tomorrow morning, followed by a motion of no confidence which, if passed, could spell the end for Iceland’s current centre-right government .

An anti-government demonstration outside the Icelandic parliament scheduled for tomorrow has now attracted over 5,500 attendees on the social media event .

PM Gunnlaugsson is making the headlines all over the world.

PM Gunnlaugsson is making the headlines all over the world. Photo: Screenshot/Guardian

Protesters demanding the resignation of the government and early general …

Protesters demanding the resignation of the government and early general elections are expected outside parliament tomorrow. Photo: Ómar Óskarsson

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