Lilja calls for disclosure of Landsvirkjun communications

Progressive Party leader Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir wants the Finance and Economic Affairs Ministry to publish all its communications with the board of state-owned company Landsvirkjun since the start of the year, she told mbl.is. She said the request came in light of the situation at the company.

“Political interference in Landsvirkjun’s affairs has increased under Viðreisn, contrary to promises,” Lilja said.

The company has been at the centre of controversy since chief executive Hörður Arnarson left his post. It has emerged that the board met Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Daði Már Kristófersson without Hörður present.

Opposition MPs demanded at a parliamentary session on Tuesday that Daði appear in the chamber to answer questions about Hörður’s departure. Some accused the minister of misleading parliament about the reasons for it. According to mbl.is, Daði is expected to answer questions in parliament on Thursday afternoon.

Lilja said the minister should explain what had happened to parliament, adding that doing so would help rebuild trust and clarify the issue. Hörður was reportedly concerned that the EFTA Surveillance Authority might view the minister’s communications with the board as political interference, which he believed could make Landsvirkjun unable to operate.

Kristín Linda Árnadóttir has taken over as acting chief executive, and the company has advertised the permanent position.

Lilja also called for parliament to regain a role in appointing the company’s board. She said the procedure for appointing boards of state-owned companies had changed at the start of the current parliamentary term and risked creating mistrust. The finance minister now appoints the entire board, she said, unlike under the previous arrangement.

She urged the minister to provide fuller answers in parliament, saying new information continued to emerge. Lilja called for the ministry’s communications with the board dating from 2025 to be published.