Opposition demands minister answer over Landsvirkjun chief’s resignation

Icelandic opposition MPs are demanding that Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Daði Már Kristófersson appear in parliament to answer questions about the resignation of Landsvirkjun’s former chief executive, mbl.is reported.

The demand followed reports that Kristófersson held nine meetings with the board of the state-owned company without chief executive Hörður Arnarson present. Minutes obtained from the Finance Ministry showed the meetings, which were reported on Monday.

At the start of parliament’s sitting on Tuesday, Independence Party MP Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson referred to an unscripted question session on October 19, when he asked the minister why Arnarson had resigned. Þórðarson said information Kristófersson gave parliament then had proved inaccurate.

At that session, the minister said Arnarson had decided to leave of his own accord. Opposition MPs now accuse Kristófersson of misleading parliament and are calling for him to explain the discrepancy.

MP Sigríður Andresen of the Centre Party questioned how the minister’s repeated emphasis on arm’s-length principles and professional management squared with his meetings with the company’s board. She called for a report from the minister on the matter.

Other MPs also asked the minister to appear. Centre Party MP Bergþór Ólason said there was enough time in parliament’s schedule to hold a question session with Kristófersson. Speaker Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir said she had received the requests and would pass them on.

Arnarson had reportedly met annually with the minister and the board chair, while the board had not generally met with the minister without him.