The muted revolutionRecently we have been surprised by Tunisia events that have led to the flight of the tyrant Ben Ali, so democratic to the West until the day before yesterday and exemplary student of the IMF. However, another "revolution" which takes place two years has been conveniently silenced by the means of communication at the service of the European plutocracies. In the same Europe (geopolitical sense), in a country with the probably oldest democracy in the world, whose origins go back to year 930, and ranked first in the 2007 human development index UN report / 2008. You adivináis what country is? I am sure that the majority has no idea, and not her had I until I've heard by chance, in spite of having been there in 2009 and 2010). Is trafficking in Iceland, where he resign a Government, nationalized the major banks, it was decided not to pay the debt they have created with Britain and the Netherlands because of his deplorable financial policy and it just created a popular Assembly to rewrite the Constitution. And all this in a peaceful manner: by dint of pan, screams and accurate release of eggs.
This has been a revolution against the neoliberal parlance power that has led us to the current crisis. Here's why they have failed to know these facts just for two years or frivolamente has been reported and flick: what would happen if the rest of Europeans take example? And step we confirm, once again if it was not yet clear, at the service of who are the media and how restrict us the right to information in the globalized plutocracy of planet S.A.
Briefly, this is the story of the facts:
At the end of 2008, the crisis in the Icelandic economy effects are devastating. October nationalized Landsbanki, the country's main bank. The British Government freezes assets of its subsidiary IceSave 300,000 British clients and 910 million euros invested by local administrations and public bodies in the UK. Landsbanki will be followed the other two main banks, the Glitnir Kaupthing. Its main clients are in this country and in the Netherlands, customers that their States must repay their savings with 3,700 million euros of public money. Then, all Bank debts of Iceland equals several times GDP. The currency collapses and the Stock Exchange suspends its activity after a collapse of 76%. The country is bankrupt.
The Government officially requested assistance to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which approved a loan of 2.1 billion dollars, supplemented by additional 2,500 million of some Nordic countries.
Protests people to Parliament in Reykjavik are increasing. January 23, 2009 convene early elections and three days later, the pans are already crowded and lead to the resignation of Prime Minister, conservative Geir H. Haarden, and his Government in block. It is the first Government (and only one I know) that falls victim to the global crisis.
25 April General elections that leaves a coalition Government formed by the Social Democratic Alliance and the left green movement led by the new first Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir held.
In the 2009 continues the terrible economic situation in the country and the year closed with a fall in GDP of 7%.
By law widely discussed in the Parliament intends to return debt to Britain and Holland payment EUR 3,500 million sum that will pay all Icelandic families each month over the next 15 years at 5.5% interest. People then take to the streets and requests submit the Bill to referendum. In January 2010 the President, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, refuses to ratify and announces that there will be popular consultation.
The referendum is held in March and not to the payment of the debt devastates with 93 per cent of the votes. The Icelandic revolution Gets a new victory peacefully.
The IMF freeze financial aid to Iceland pending resolution of the repayment of its debt.
To all this, the Government has initiated an investigation to legally settle the responsibilities of the crisis. Start the arrests of several bankers and senior executives. Interpol issued an international arrest warrant against the President of the Kaupthing, Sigurdur Einarsson.
In this context of crisis, is elected a constituent Assembly last November to draft a new Constitution that reflect lessons learned from the crisis and to replace the current, a copy of the Danish Constitution. To this end, it uses directly the sovereign people. 25 Citizens without political affiliation of the 522 presented candidatures, are elected which was only must be of legal age and have the support of 30 people. The Constitutional Assembly will begin its work in February 2011 and shall submit a draft of magna carta of the recommendations agreed in different assemblies to be held throughout the country. It must be approved by the current Parliament and which will be after the next legislative elections.
And finally, another "revolutionary" measure of the Icelandic Parliament: modern Icelandic initiative for media (Icelandic Modern Media Initiative), a draft law that aims to create a legal framework for the protection of the freedom of information and expression. Is intended to make the country a safe haven for investigative journalism and freedom of information where they protect sources, journalists and Internet service providers that host news reporting; Hell for us and the paradise to Wikileaks.
This is the brief history of the Icelandic revolution: resignation of a Government in block, banking, nationalization referendum so that the people decide on far-reaching economic decisions, responsible for the crisis, incarceration rewrite of the Constitution by the people and a project of reinforcement of the freedom of information and expression. Do we talked of this in European communication? Has he commented upon in disgusting radio talk of backwater quasi-political and disinformation mercenaries? Have images of the facts been on television? Clear that not. It must be that the United States of Europe does not seem them important enough that people take the reins of its sovereignty and plant face to the neo-liberal roller. Or perhaps fear falling them face shame to stay again in evidence which have become democracy a plutocrático system where nothing has changed with the crisis, except for the start of a process of socialisation of losses with social cuts and precariousness of working conditions. It is also very likely think this must still be intelligent life among its units of consumption, who both like to call people, and fear a contagion effect. Although most likely that this calculated information mishandling, when there is no silence rapturous, due to all these causes together.
Some would say that Iceland is a small island of just 300,000 inhabitants, with a much less complex than the of a large European country, social, political, economic and administrative framework making it easier to organize and carry out such changes. It is a country which, although they have great energy independence through its geothermal plants, has few natural resources and has a vulnerable economy whose exports depend on 40% of the fishing. Also there are say have lived above their potential borrowing it and speculate in the financial casino as the most, and it is true. Like other countries liberalized to infinity financial system-guided by the same irresponsible governments have done and suicidal now throw hands behind the head. I simply think that the Icelandic people is a cult, solidarity, optimistic and courageous people who has managed to rectify throwing two balls, planting face to the system and giving a lesson in democracy throughout the world.
The country has already started negotiations to join the European Union.
I hope for his sake and as things are putting on the continent with the plague of fakers who govern us, that the Icelandic people fill their revolution rejecting accession. And hopefully happen otherwise than Europe which entered in Iceland, because that Yes the real Europe of peoples.
This news the take a means of communication alternative, no means in my country will inform.
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