Bergþór says Viðreisn leadership change is possible

Bergþór Ólason, an MP for the Centre Party, says Viðreisn leader Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir is in a very difficult position and that a change in the party’s leadership may be possible. He made the remarks in an interview on Morgunblaðið’s Dagmál programme, reported by mbl.is.

Bergþór pointed to Jón Gnarr’s departure and his criticism of the party leadership, as well as the picture that has emerged of internal party affairs. He said members of Viðreisn’s parliamentary group must be considering who could take over, while stressing that talk of a potential successor was speculation.

The interview also examined criticism of how the decision to hold a referendum on European affairs was handled. The discussion included claims that Þorgerður Katrín did not consult her parliamentary group before announcing the decision. Bergþór also discussed her communications with European officials and the information shared with her own group.

Asked about an account that Þorgerður Katrín had wanted María Rut Kristinsdóttir to become parliamentary group leader, but that the proposal had not succeeded, Bergþór said it was the combined picture that mattered, rather than any single incident.

He said he did not understand her decision to take a two-week leave at this time, adding that her absence was part of the situation facing the party. Asked whether a similar leadership upheaval to the one in which Þorgerður Katrín took over from Benedikt Jóhannesson could happen again, he said he thought it could.

Bergþór predicted that a woman minister would lead the party if a change took place, but did not name anyone. The two ministers mentioned as possible candidates were Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir and Industry Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson. He cautioned that political predictions were difficult, but said Þorgerður Katrín was not doing herself any political favours at present.