Update: Protests topple Iceland government

The conservative government of Iceland has fallen after vigorous protests by Icelanders over the economic decline caused by bad President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson ; photo by DT Regula
banking practices proved too much of a storm to weather.

Last Thursday, in response to vigorous protests, authorities used tear gas on their citizens in the narrow streets of downtown Reykjavik, where the small Parliament building is located.

President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has called for a new coalition government to form prior to formal elections later this spring.

I briefly met the President of Iceland at the opening of a new geothermal turbine while traveling there in November. At that time, I asked him what he would tell Americans asking why they should visit Iceland. "They should come because there is a lot they can learn from Iceland," he told me, particularly in the area of sustainable energy. But apparently the Icelanders may have been inspired by the U.S. andtaken to heart that it might be time for a change.

Photo by DT Regula

One Icelander, tour guide Vilhjalmur Godi, told me:"People went out into the streets with pots, pans, drums and attitude and banged on them forcing the government to listen to the heartbeat of the nation. The casulties in this "pots and pans" revolution were the former governments pride and that's it. Teargas is a small price for justice. These are exciting times."

What's the effect on your travel plans to Iceland? Iceland, once one of the most expensive destinations in Europe, has suffered because of the unfortunate decline in its currency, the krona, and travel thereis a great value right now. Since the new interim government and its likely successors are expected to press to join the Eurozone, now may be the best time to visit Iceland before changes prop up the currency again. Iceland Air is offering a number of very inexpensive getaways to Iceland.

What brought down a government - video of protests last week in Iceland:

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