Helgason accuses Samfylking MPs of backing policies that hurt their districts

In an opinion article published by Morgunblaðið, Independence Party deputy leader Jens Garðar Helgason accuses Samfylking MPs from rural constituencies of supporting government policies that he says harm their communities.

Helgason writes that Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir recently said, “We are going to fix Iceland.” He argues that higher taxes and fees, troubled administration, weak advocacy abroad and repeated attacks on businesses show that much needs fixing.

He says rising charges have affected patients, students, businesses and households. He also points to a planned increase in value-added tax on tourism in the budget bill, despite what he describes as a pledge by the leader of Viðreisn not to raise taxes or increase VAT on the sector.

Helgason says some Samfylking MPs have been among the government’s strongest defenders of tax and fee increases. He lists a kilometre-based road charge, a tax on bathing lagoons, higher vehicle excise duties, road tolls, a nature pass and joint taxation for married couples. He also says some of the MPs have backed putting power projects in their constituencies on hold or under protection, and welcomed a decision not to pursue oil exploration.

He argues that these policies can hit the MPs’ own constituencies particularly hard, but says the representatives have not stood up for their communities. Instead, he writes, they appear to be competing to become “the best friend of the powers that be” by loudly supporting the government.

With the parliamentary term halfway through, Helgason says the competition to retain seats is under way. He concludes that residents and businesses in the MPs’ constituencies are bearing the consequences, but says the left-wing government’s time in office is running short.

Helgason is a member of parliament for the Northeast constituency.