Candidacy planned in Reykjavík

The membership meeting of the Socialist Party of Iceland on February 18th adopted the following resolution:

The membership meeting of the Socialist Party of Iceland instructs the Executive Board (Framkvæmdastjórn) of the party to prepare a candidacy for the Reykjavík City Council this spring on behalf of the party, to convene the Election Committee (Kjörstjórn) according to the provisions in the party's laws and organization, to continue to promote vigorous discussion on municipal affairs among party members, and to explore possibilities for candidacies in other municipalities.

The meeting instructs the Policy Board (Málefnastjórn) of the party to appoint a policy group to formulate a basic policy on municipal affairs, and the Membership Board (Félagastjórn) to strengthen work among members in the city's districts.

The meeting instructs the Executive Board to present the results of the preparatory work and to put them to a vote at a membership meeting to be held before the end of March.

It is the assessment of the membership meeting that it is urgent for a socialist candidacy to emerge in municipal affairs, which champions the urgent struggle for the interests of those who have been marginalized due to social injustice.

A candidacy for the city council is a natural continuation of the demand for the restoration of the labor movement. Reykjavík City pursues a brutal low-wage policy against its employees, bears significant blame for the housing crisis which undermines the living standards of employees, and has encouraged the development of housing speculation, rental companies, and the power of contractors who have profited immensely from the housing problems of the most vulnerable.

The people of the city need to rise up and reclaim Reykjavík City, demanding that their municipality serves the interests of the many and not the few, rich, and powerful.