World

Icelanders riot outside parliament over economic crisis

by Teacher Dude | January 21, 2009 at 03:10 am

556 views | 80 Recommendations | 8 comments

The small Scandanavian country, blessed with abundant natural resources and enjoying one of the highest living standards in the world is hardly the kind of place one associates with economic catastrophe and riots. All that changed yesterday when thousands took to the streets to protest the present government's handling of the recent financial crisis. With gross national product down two thirds, a 45% rise in unemployment and the country defaulting on loan repayments Icelanders are faced with the worst economic crisis in living memory.

Riot police clashed with demonstators (click here for video) outside the Althingi House, Iceland's parliament after 2000 people surrounded the building reported Icelandic journalist, Iris Erlingsdottir writing in The Huffington Post. Over 30 arrests were made , including an 11 year old, according to the Icelandic press reports.

The target of their anger members of the government that presided over a meltdown in the banking sector and wider economy which has been so severe that a third of islanders are considering emmigration according to a report in the Economist. The coalition government has repeatedly rejected calls for elections in light of the current situation

As with the recent riots and protests in Greece, the impression that those in power have lined their own pockets while ordinary citizens have had to pay the price for financial mismangament has infuriated ordinary Icelanders.

Despite sub zero temperatures the protests have continued for a second day with members of the parliamentary opposition taking time out from debates to join the demonstrators.

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Rob Walker

at 07:16 on January 21st, 2009

Great story teacher dude!

Amy Judd

at 10:01 on January 21st, 2009

Sometimes when people have no options, they literally have to 'take it to the streets' - so good for them for doing this.

Jarrett Martineau

at 10:24 on January 21st, 2009

Thanks for this post. Great work. These are troubled economic times, whose effects are being felt everywhere; and I hope that Icelanders get a reprieve from some of this hardship soon.

dorisig007

at 11:45 on January 21st, 2009

Protesting tonight ,( 21 january ) again ,in front of parliement building.
They started today,and the prime minister had problems driving away from the goverment house - police had to assist ,and eggs and other things where trhown at his car.
Regarding heating in the cold winter - not a problem,we use geothermal heating .
Due to the fact that Icealnd is a volcanic island ,then we have hot water , from the earth,and that is pumped into nearly every house in Iceland.

René

at 11:55 on January 21st, 2009

those in power have lined their own pockets while ordinary citizens have had to pay the price for financial mismangament has infuriated ordinary..

citizens of all countries.

car1edb

at 12:36 on January 21st, 2009

Police have been firing pepper spray at the protesters... gotta keep things orderly, or a warning shot across the bow.

Looks to be just the beginning of a spreading global unrest.

jones (not verified)

at 20:46 on January 22nd, 2009

When will the Americans do this in the wake of what the federal reserve and those who run it have done to them?

Dont they know that over 65% of their own congress dont pay taxes? This is becasue they work for the Federal reserve and NOT for the people.

Oh, if you were wondering, No, the federal reserve is NOT federal, nor are there any reserves. it is privately owned by the same who own the banking systems that other country's citizens are now rioting agianst.