Icelandic MP takes leave to join foreign minister in Vietnam

Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir is travelling to Vietnam to sign an agreement linked to a free-trade deal with the country, mbl.is reports.

She will be accompanied by Ingileif Friðriksdóttir, her aide, and María Rut Kristinsdóttir, deputy chair of the Viðreisn parliamentary group. The free-trade agreement was made by the EFTA countries Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

María Rut is travelling in a personal capacity and will take leave from her parliamentary duties while in Vietnam. She and Ingileif are married.

Pawel Bartoszek, who became Viðreisn’s parliamentary group leader this week, said a substitute member of parliament would take María Rut’s seat. The substitute’s name will be announced on Monday.