Inga says Gnarr leaving will not affect government

Education and Children’s Minister Inga Sæland says Jón Gnarr’s departure from Viðreisn’s parliamentary group will not affect the government. She told mbl.is she had not known he was unhappy within the group.

Gnarr left the group last week but remains a member of Viðreisn and has said he will continue to support the government. In interviews, he has also described conditions within the group as unhealthy.

Inga said his decision came as a complete surprise to her. She said she and Gnarr hug whenever they meet and called him “absolutely wonderful”. She hopes they will keep doing so when they meet at Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament.

Inga also said she had not experienced strained relations between Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir, despite Gnarr’s comments about tension between them.

“I have never seen anything like that,” she said, adding that ministers greet one another and smile at government meetings. She said their work together is organised and formal during meetings, but that they also share more relaxed moments, tell jokes and discuss current issues.

Inga said ministers may disagree on issues, but that those disagreements are discussed and resolved within the government. She also said she did not take personally Gnarr’s criticism that too little had been done for children with complex needs.