Iceland’s prime minister schedules nine public listening meetings

Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir will hold nine public listening meetings across the country in the weeks leading up to the 29 August referendum on opening membership negotiations with the European Union, mbl.is reports.

The first meeting will take place at Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurnesja in Reykjanesbær at 8.30pm on Tuesday. The final meeting is scheduled for Reykjavík on 26 August, three days before the referendum. Its location will be announced later.

Frostadóttir said on Facebook that she wanted to hear different views and have an open discussion about Iceland’s interests.

The meetings will address the opportunities and challenges facing Iceland, as well as how the government should respond to the referendum result.

“What are the opportunities? What are the concerns? How do we move forward with the guidance from the people on 29 August? To strengthen Iceland,” Frostadóttir wrote.

She said she was looking forward to the meetings and described them as important preparation for the autumn.

Meeting schedule

Reykjanesbær, Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurnesja, Tuesday 11 August at 8.30pm.

Eskifjörður, Eskifjarðarskóli, Wednesday 12 August at 8.30pm.

Djúpivogur, Langabúð, Thursday 13 August at 8.30am.

Akureyri, Hamar, Þór’s community hall, Sunday 16 August at noon.

Patreksfjörður, Verbúðin, Tuesday 18 August at noon.

Borgarfjörður, Félagsheimilið Brún in Bæjarsveit, Tuesday 18 August at 8pm.

Selfoss, the town square in the new town centre, Monday 24 August at 5pm.

Kópavogur, Salurinn, Monday 24 August at 8pm.

Reykjavík, location to be announced, Wednesday 26 August at 5.30pm.

Frostadóttir will also attend the Hólahátíð festival in Skagafjörður and travel to Hornafjörður next week for a government working meeting.