With Pirates on the horizon, Iceland’s government may not survive the Panama Papers

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Series Details 04.04.16
Publication Date 04/04/2016
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According to documents leaked from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca in April 2016 after an investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, several Icelandic politicians, former bankers and government advisers had links to anonymous offshore companies. Among them, were three members of the Icelandic government: the prime minister, Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, the finance minister, Bjarni Benediktsson and the interior minister, Ólöf Nordal.

The release of the Panama Papers in April 2016 would have an impact around the world, the author suggests. But the situation in Iceland deserved particular attention.

Thousands of Icelanders protested on the 4 April 2016 calling on the Prime Minister to resign, following the allegations that he benefited from offshore holdings in tax havens.

Mr Gunnlaugsson offered his resignation on the 5 April 2016 after initially resisting pressure to step down. Some reports on the 6 April 2016 suggested that he had only temporarily stepped aside as Prime Minister and that he would remain chair of the Progressive Party.

However, it was confirmed later on the 6 April 2016 that Iceland's new prime minister would be Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson and that new elections would be brought forward to the autumn of 2016.

Further protests took place, notably on the 9 April 2016, when thousands of protesters in Reykjavik called for immediate elections. However, the Icelandic parliament had rejected an opposition motion of no confidence in the reshuffled government on the 8 April 2016.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://theconversation.com/with-pirates-on-the-horizon-icelands-government-may-not-survive-the-panama-papers-57236
Related Links
ESO: Background information: The Panama Papers. Politicians, Criminals and the Rogue Industry That Hides Their Cash http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-panama-papers-politicians-criminals-and-the-rogue-industry-that-hides-their-cash/
The Guardian, 04.04.16: Icelandic PM faces no confidence vote over Panama Papers disclosures http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/04/icelandic-pm-gunnlaugsson-faces-no-confidence-vote-panama-papers-wife-offshore
Euronews, 05.04.16: Iceland: thousands protest, call for PM to resign over ‘Panama Papers’ leaks http://www.euronews.com/2016/04/04/iceland-thousands-protest-call-for-pm-to-resign-over-panama-papers-leaks/
Politico, 04.04.16: Iceland’s PM rejects calls to quit over Panama Papers revelations http://www.politico.eu/article/iceland-pm-rejects-quit-call-after-panama-papers-leak-revelation/
EurActiv 05.04.16: Panama leaks put the heat on Iceland’s government http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/panama-leaks-put-the-heat-on-icelands-government/
EUObserver, 04.04.16: Iceland PM defiant, EU weighs reaction to tax leaks https://euobserver.com/justice/132911
The Guardian, 05.04.16: Iceland prime minister resigns over Panama Papers revelations http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/iceland-prime-minister-resigns-over-panama-papers-revelations
EUObserver, 05.04.16: Iceland MPs suspend session over PM tax-haven link https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/132917
Iceland Review: Tag: Panama Papers http://icelandreview.com/news/panama-papers
Deutsche Welle, 05.04.16: Icelandic PM Gunnlaugsson resigns in wake of 'Panama Papers' scandal http://dw.com/p/1IPoO
BBC News, 05.04.16: Panama Papers: Iceland PM Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson resigns http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35966412
EurActiv, 06.06.16: Iceland PM steps down after Panama Papers tax scandal http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/iceland-pm-steps-down-after-panama-papers-tax-scandal/
EUObserver, 06.04.16: Panama Papers: Iceland PM half-resigns https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/132937
Politico, 06.04.16: Iceland’s prime minister claims he did not resign http://www.politico.eu/article/iceland-prime-minister-claims-he-did-not-resign-sigmundur-david-gunnlaugsson-panama-papers-leaks/
The Guardian, 06.04.16: [Opinion]: A rerun of 2009? No, we Icelanders are much angrier this time http://www.theguardian.com/news/commentisfree/2016/apr/06/2009-icelanders-farce-president-prime-minister-charlatans-hyprocrisy
Iceland Review, 06.04.16: Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson Iceland’s New PM http://icelandreview.com/news/2016/04/06/sigurdur-ingi-johannsson-icelands-new-pm
Deutsche Welle, 09.04.16: Iceland's coalition survives confidence vote in wake of 'Panama Papers' http://dw.com/p/1ISLt
Iceland Review, 08.04.16: Government Survives No Confidence Vote http://icelandreview.com/news/2016/04/08/government-survives-no-confidence-vote
Deutsche Welle, 09.04.16: Huge anti-government rally in Iceland amid Panama Papers scandal http://dw.com/p/1ISTA

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