uz sa tu o tom raz pisalo….
New constitution in Iceland: the conspiracy of silence …
Iceland finished 2011 with a growth of 2.1% and is projected by the European Commission forecasts, the rate reached 2.7% in 2013 thanks mainly to the creation of new jobs.
Iceland is the only European country that rejected by referendum rescue private banks, collapsed leaving some of them and judging many bankers for their financial crimes but curiously the French and European media do not discuss or very few …
There is no official censorship in the media press, radio or TV but journalists and experts from all sides, so quick to talk about what is happening in Egypt, Lybia and Syria, are completely silent on what happening in Iceland. Have they been spoken in many political debates for the presidential election? Have we seen images on TV? Of course not because the Europeans could have the bad idea to be inspired …
In Iceland, the people did resign a government in full. The major banks were nationalized and it was decided not to pay the debt they had contracted with banks in Britain and Holland, their bad debt generated by financial policy.
– 2008: The banks Glitnir, Kaupthing and Landsbankinn are nationalized to prevent their failure rather than unconditionally inject public capital, as in Spain or other European countries. All debts of Iceland equal then 9 times its GDP.The currency collapsed and the stock exchange suspends activities after a fall of 76%.
– 2009: The IMF, as usual, requires, in exchange for actions called “adjustment” of cuts in social spending that provoke the anger of the population, the government fell and the calling of early elections.
The left won an absolute majority, causing the collapse of the Independence Party, a conservative party that has traditionally been the dominant force in the country and retains only 23.7% of the vote.Johanna Siguroardottir is chosen to head the government bringing together social democrats and environmentalists on the left.
The dire economic situation of the country persists. Through a law, it is proposed to Great Britain and Holland repayment of debt and a payment of 3,500 million euros, amount to be paid monthly by all Icelandic families for 15 years at a rate 5% of interest. But the people down the street again and demand that the law be put to referendum.
– January 2010: President refuses to ratify the law and announced that there will be a referendum.
– March 2010: The referendum is held and not to pay the debt outweighs by 93% of the vote.
Meanwhile, the government tries to regulate legally the responsibility of the crisis. Detentions of several bankers and executives begin.
Interpol launches an investigation and all bankers involved leaving the country. In this context of crisis, an assembly shall be elected to draft a new constitution to replace the current is simply a copy of the Danish constitution.
To do this, use is made directly to the sovereign people elect 25 citizens without political affiliation among the 522 candidates who stand for (condition: be an adult and have received the support of at least 30 people).
– September 2010: Former Prime Minister Geir Haarde is sued for negligence in managing the crisis. Interpol also issued an international arrest warrant against former chairman Sigurdur Einarsson of.
– February 2011: The Constituent Assembly began its work to present, from opinions collected in the various meetings held throughout the country, a project of Magna Carta.
– March 2011: After some criticism about the low turnout (36%) to appoint members of the Constituent Assembly, the Prime Minister, in consultation with leaders of major parties represented in Parliament, shall establish an advisory committee to continue revision of the constitution. The latter proposes that Parliament appoint a “Constitutional Council” consisting of 25 members of the Constitutional Assembly dissolved.
– April 2011: The new citizens say no to a second referendum on the payment of the debt, after the Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson refused to sign the cons-law of 16 February 2011 (known as the “third law Icesave “). The new center-left government in effect ensured that the new agreement negotiated Icesave was better than the previous one but the Icelandic population continues to refuse to be harnessed for the failure of banks deemed irresponsible.
– July 2011: Based on reports of the Constitutional Committee and the National Forum (people), the Constitutional Council unanimously adopted a draft constitution which was submitted to Parliament on July 27. The latter, responsible for amending the draft, has tackled this problem in the fall of 2011 and discussions are ongoing.
The main proposals of the new Constitution
Of a total of 114 articles and nine chapters, it may be noted in particular:
– Article 15 : Right to information. The information and documents held by public authorities should be available without exception and public access to these documents should be guaranteed by law.
– Article 63: Creation of an Oversight Committee of the Government’s responsibility. An investigation into the actions and decisions of Government may be requested by one third of the members of Althingi (Icelandic parliament).
– Article 65 : Right to direct consultation. 10% of voters may request a national referendum on the laws passed by Althingi.
– Rule 66: Possibility of direct appeal to Althingi. 2% of voters can submit a question in Parliament and a bill may be filed if it is supported by 10% of voters.
– Article 90: Education Cabinet. The Prime Minister is appointed by Parliament.
– Article 99 : Independence of the courts. The independence of courts shall be guaranteed by law.
– Section 105: Independence of local authorities. Revenue sources of local authorities must be guaranteed by law, as is their right to determine the use of these resources.
The new constitution should be submitted to a referendum before the vote by Parliament. It should take place June 30 in conjunction with the presidential election or the fall.
Iceland is certainly a small country of 320,000 inhabitants, however, but it gives a lesson in democracy to the great states of Europe and the world. Consider for example that in France, the constitutional reform of 2008 has been completely written to the Elysee and that parliamentarians have taken only two votes after being subjected for weeks to intolerable pressures from the head of state …
Source: http://reformeraujourdhui.blogspot.fr