“I extend the offer hereby, that all parties of Parliament try to sit down and go over this matter with the agenda of doing what is most sensible for this nation. We need national harmony regarding a new currency,” said Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir at parliament last Wednesday morning.

Members of the Progressive Party came down hard on the Prime Minister for declaring that the ISK was inapplicable. Jóhanna said that the currency issue was the largest matter of interest for the Icelandic nation.

Birkir Jón Jónsson of the Progressive Party said that he was certain that a person in the position of Prime Minister could not say such remarks without consequences. Birkir Jón said that these were reckless words which would weaken people’s trust in the ISK. It would lead to debts increasing, spending power diminishing and would increase the difficulty of lifting the currency restrictions.

“It is not possible to pretend that nothing is wrong,” Jóhanna commented. She said that those who believe that everything is fine with the ISK were in denial. She asked what journey members of the Progressive Party were on and pointed out that they are hosting a conference about a new currency and advocating the Canadian dollar. It would be the first step away from denial to admit that the current situation is not working. “This is the largest issue facing the Icelandic nation. We must change currency or go over the consequences of not doing so,” the prime minister stated.

She said that the Central Bank is working on the matter and that a committee, along with members of Parliament, is looking at the options. The committee’s report is due soon. She encouraged members of Parliament to stop their denial and face the facts, smugan.is reports.  

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