Benediktsson and Gylfadóttir change seats

Chairman of the Independence Party, Bjarni Benediktsson, proposed the party’s new ministerial composition at a parliamentary party meeting in Valhöll at 9.30 this morning. Sources of Morgunbladid have information that Benediktsson will be Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Þórdís Kol­brún Reyk­f­jörð Gyl­fa­dóttir will be the new Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and at the press conference that started at 11 AM, this was confirmed.

Leaders of the ruling parties have been meeting in recent days on how to improve the government-to-government co-operation, strengthen the constitution, improve the working methods and balance differences. According to the report, the focus will be on the economy and the issues on which there is good consensus. A member of the ruling party thought that too much was done about conflicting issues, but that the parliamentary art might need to be polished.

Further changes possible

In recent days, there has been talk of further changes to the government, even of ministries moving between parties, but time seemed too short for this. These changes could happen later this winter, possibly by the end of the year.

At 2 PM, the cabinet meeting will begin at Bessastaðir, where a ministerial exchange will formally take place.

Need to finish the term

“This was a very good meeting. Consensus and solidarity. The task ahead is big and the great success these parties have had in the last six years is a good basis for finishing the term,” stated Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Infrastructure and chairman of the Progressive Party, after the meeting of the ruling coalition parties at Þingvellir yesterday.

Now there has been much talk about differences within the ruling parties, is that one of the things that was discussed at the meeting?

“Yes, this was a very good meeting to do that. Of course, these kinds of working meetings between parliamentary groups are like working meetings in companies and associations. It’s made to close the ranks, so that people can talk about what can be done better. This meeting was very good in that.”