Animal welfare groups urge President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson to intervene against whaling plans in Iceland

Animal welfare and environmental organizations in Iceland are urging President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson to intervene against plans for whaling just before the upcoming elections. Six groups, including Whale Friends and Icelandic Environmental Association, have sent a formal request challenging the caretaker government’s decision to grant whaling licenses.

They argue that issuing whaling permits is an abuse of power by the caretaker government, which was only mandated to perform essential administrative tasks. The organizations highlight that public opinion heavily opposes whaling, indicating that the matter transcends the protection of vulnerable whale stocks and touches upon democracy and the will of the Icelandic people.

The groups implore the president to reaffirm previous statements regarding the role of a caretaker government, which should focus on necessary administrative functions, such as managing the state budget, rather than making policy decisions concerning whale hunting that benefit individual corporations. They emphasize the importance of protecting both the whales and the democratic process in Iceland.