“We will defend the Republic of Iceland”

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir delivered a special statement just moments ago at the opening of today’s parliamentary session.

In her address, she said that the current situation in Parliament is unprecedented and that the conduct of the minority has no parallel in Icelandic political history.

She described the situation as serious for the country’s democracy and constitutional order, stating that the minority was refusing to acknowledge majority rule.

“On behalf of the majority, I declare that we will defend the Republic of Iceland, we will defend the country’s constitutional order and the honor of Alþingi,” she said.

Parliament session last night ended against speaker’s wishes

Hildur Sverrisdóttir, parliamentary group chair for the Independence Party and fifth deputy speaker of Alþingi, ended yesterday’s parliamentary session at 11:39 PM, thereby postponing further debate on the fisheries fee bill until the following morning.

According to mbl.is sources, she did so against the wishes of the Speaker of Parliament, Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, who had intended for the session to continue into the night.

The final speaker of the evening was Vilhjálmur Árnason, MP for the Independence Party, and during his speech, MP Bergþór Ólason of the Centre Party can be seen approaching Hildur for a brief exchange. Shortly afterward, Sverrisdóttir adjourned the session.

Negotiations on the end-of-session agreements remained stalled yesterday, after Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir broke off talks. Given the current impasse, a lively day in Parliament is expected.