No one has an automatic right to be a minister

Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said no one has an automatic right to hold a ministerial post, as she responded to questions about Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson’s resignation. She made the comments to mbl.is.

Asked whether the leaders of the three governing parties had decided that Guðmundur Ingi should leave his role as minister of education and children’s affairs, Þorgerður said she would not comment further because such matters were sensitive.

Guðmundur Ingi recently said that Inga Sæland had acted forcefully in seeking his departure while he was in hospital recovering from heart surgery.

Messages sent to Guðmundur Ingi by his then-aide, Guðbjörg Ingunn Magnúsdóttir, said he had two options after his medical leave: announce his resignation and return to parliament, or go to war. Guðbjörg is married to Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson, who later took a ministerial post in a government reshuffle.

The messages also said the decision for Guðmundur Ingi to leave office was “solely the Valkyries’” — referring to the leaders of the three governing parties. That differs from what Inga Sæland, leader of the People’s Party, has said.

“Guðmundur Ingi made this decision. Of course, it was not made in a vacuum,” Þorgerður said. She added that the government and its leaders were united and would continue their work.