MPs Rally To Defend Former PM Trial

Responding to increasing support to nix the trial of former prime minister Geir H. Haarde, members of parliament are currently working to introduce a proposal which would effectively kill legislative opposition to it. As reported, Independence Party chairman Bjarni Benediktsson submitted a proposal last year calling for the trial of Geir, who stands accused of negligence and mismanagement contributing to the 2008 financial collapse of the country, to be terminated. Support for the measure has been seen not just from the conservatives, but also from members of the Social Democratic Party, as well as from Minister of the Interior Ögmundur Jónasson. As such, parliament appears almost evenly divided on the issue. However, Leftist-Green MP Björn Valur Gíslason told RÚV that trial supporters have a plan. Bjarni intends to submit his proposal today, but Björn believes that there exists a parliamentary majority, comprised of MPs from every party except the conservatives, to vote to nullify the proposal. If it makes it onto the floor, a vote could be taken on it immediately after Bjarni's proposal is submitted. As it stands now, Geir's trial remains in a state of uncertainty.