Jón Gnarr appears to compare Viðreisn leader to TV character Georg

Jón Gnarr appeared to suggest that Viðreisn leader Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir was like Georg Bjarnfreðarson, a domineering shift manager from a television series, in a closing exchange on mbl.is’s Spursmál programme.

Gnarr did not name anyone in his final remarks, but mbl.is said the context pointed to a dig at Þorgerður. Earlier in the interview, Gnarr repeatedly criticised her leadership and described the situation in Viðreisn’s parliamentary group as unbearable.

Host Stefán Einar Stefánsson suggested that Gnarr had been like Ólafur Ragnar Hannesson in the group but would have wanted to be Georg. Gnarr rejected that interpretation, saying: “I am Ólafur Ragnar Hannesson, but I would have wanted Georg not to be there.”

Gnarr had also been asked whether strained relations between Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir, the justice minister, and Þorgerður were part of the circumstances he was leaving. He agreed and called the situation unhealthy. He said he was not in a position to take charge, describing himself as “just a worker on the forecourt”.

Gnarr has left Viðreisn’s parliamentary group but remains in the party and supports the government.