Pawel rejects rumours of further discontent in Viðreisn group

Pawel Bartoszek, chairman of the Viðreisn parliamentary group, said it was not appropriate to endorse rumours that other members might be unhappy in the group, mbl.is reported. Jón Gnarr, who left the group last week, has suggested there may be discontent among other members and further changes ahead.

“I can only work with the cards I have as parliamentary group chairman, which is a great group of ten that intends to work to get this government’s policies through,” Pawel told mbl.is at Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament.

Pawel said he had only warm feelings towards Jón, describing him as a good friend and colleague. He said he regretted that their paths had diverged in the group, but was grateful that they had reached a cooperation agreement. Under it, the group trusts Jón to work on its behalf in parliamentary committees and provides him with support services. Jón will continue to support the government.

Pawel said he hoped the agreement would provide a basis for continued cooperation, and that Jón might one day return to the parliamentary group. He declined to comment further on Jón’s criticism of the group’s work and party leadership, saying he wanted to look ahead. Jón has criticised party leader Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. Pawel recently became the group’s chairman.