A new coalition is set to form the new government in Iceland, setting out an ambitious list of policy aims.
In an unusual election outcome in Iceland, where governments are invariably coalitions, none of the former governing parties are part of the incoming administration, formed of the Social Democrat, Reform and People’s Parties.
This puts a centrist alliance in government to take the place of the largely right-wing government that had been in power for two parliamentary terms.
The incoming government led by Kristrún Frostadóttir has stated in a policy announcement that it aims to mould a resources policy based on renewable exploitation and a reasonable renewable levy routed back to the community.
The new government aims to prioritise an amendment to the constitution relating to resources in national ownership – which can be interpreted as a clear statement on the longstanding tussles over ownership of fishing opportunities, among other things.
The new administration states that requirements will be put in place relating to transparency of ownership and clarity in terms of linked entities.
A commitment has been made to ensuring the coastal fishery gets 48 fishing days.
The new administration has outlined its plans to strengthen the legal framework governing aquaculture and to make efforts to mininise negative effects on the environment, while encouraging the breeding of infertile salmon and fish farming in closed pens.
Over the last two parliamentary terms the government has been an incongruous grouping of the conservative Independence and Progressive parties with the Left-Green Aliance with its strong environmental focus.
With the Ministry responsible for fisheries and aquaculture having been in the hands of ministers from the Left-Green partners in the coalition over the last two terms, there has been a not always comfortable relationship with the seafood industry.
It remains to be seen what kind of a relationship emerges between Iceland’s fishing sector – historically rabidly opposed to EU membership and close to the conservative wing of Iceland’s politics – and the new administration formed of three parties favourable to negotiations with the EU.
