Pawel declines to back Jón Gnarr’s criticism of Viðreisn group

Viðreisn’s new parliamentary group leader, Pawel Bartoszek, has declined to endorse Jón Gnarr’s description of a sour atmosphere in the group, mbl.is reported. Gnarr left the group yesterday and criticised its internal situation in an interview on the programme Spursmál.

Asked whether cooperation in the group was difficult, Bartoszek said he would not comment further on Gnarr’s experience. “He has made this decision, and I am going to look ahead,” he said. Bartoszek added that his role was to ensure the party’s 10-member group worked well together.

Bartoszek described the group as one of the strongest in the Icelandic parliament, with extensive experience in public administration and business, as well as ministers and members with local government experience across the country.

Gnarr also said he had sensed strained relations between Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir. Bartoszek declined to take a position on those claims, saying he had enjoyed a decades-long friendship and professional relationship with both ministers. He praised their work, including their roles in the debate over the referendum.

Gnarr said he was unhappy that he had not been consulted on the timing of the referendum in August. Bartoszek said he recalled receiving the date shortly before the news conference. He confirmed that the parliamentary group had not held a meeting to discuss possible dates, but said the process was not unusual.