Iceland hit by political crisis

Iceland's Minister of Business Affairs Byörvin Sigurdsson resigned on Sunday following protests in the country over the poor economic situation. The heads of the country's Financial Supervisory Authority have also announced their resignation. Turun Sanomat newspaper writes: "The deep economic crisis has led demonstrators to articulate clear demands. This is reminiscent of events last week in Latvia and Lithuania. The statements by certain politicians who nevertheless staunchly say that the governing coalition of the Independence Party and the Social Democrats will not break apart appear in this light more than curious. Protest against the government by throwing eggs, bottles and stones ... is not exactly in line with Icelandic tradition. ... The fresh elections announced for May in Iceland are generally regarded as a test of whether the country can master the economic crisis."

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