Iceland gets sold out!

[Joanne98]

Iceland: New government pledges continuation of IMF austerity programme

By Jordan Shilton
11 February 2009

Iceland’s new coalition government between the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Party was formed February 1 after negotiations with the Progressive Party over its parliamentary support. Although the new administration came to power promising significant changes to government and the financial sector, the direction of the SDA-led government will be a continuation of previous policies.


Most significant was the pledge to stick to the IMF-backed economic programme negotiated by the outgoing Independence Party-led government. In its initial statement outlining its priorities, the new administration declared, “The Government will base itself on a very prudent and responsible policy in economic and fiscal matters….”


Earlier, Left-Green leader Steingrimur Sigfusson had stated that he intended to push for a renegotiation of Iceland’s loan terms with the IMF in his new capacity as finance minister. Nonetheless, in the first line of the section on economic policy the government declared, “The economic policy of the government will be based on the programme already established by the authorities and the IMF.”


This is confirmation, if it were necessary, that the SDA/Left-Green coalition will continue to implement harsh austerity measures demanded by international finance capital to shift the burden of the economic crisis on to working people. Notwithstanding its declared commitment to “social values” and “women’s rights, equality and justice,” many desperately needed social programmes will have to be cut if the government is to meet the programme of the IMF.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/feb2009/icel-f11.shtml

See. Left wingers always get thrown under the bus by their own pols. This is why we need a revolution. French or Russian? It doesn't matter Just as long as is bloody!

[ananda]

1. Poor Iceland!

My pities.