The social democratic People's Party has always been dominated by right-wing currents. In fact, in 1938 and 1956 the left wing has left the party for coalition with the communists and socialists. The second split led to the formation of the People's Alliance. Although it is more radical than the social democrats, the People's Alliance is firmly pro-NATO, and argues that Iceland should join the European Union.
In 1991 the People's Alliance even joined a government coalition with the right-wing Independence Party, and was active in the introduction of neoliberal policies.
There is a growing social democratic tendency within the People's Alliance. The party has been two-faced for a long time, and the left face is more and more in the shadows.
In such a context, the new coalition of left parties and the Women's party is expected to follow the same road as Britain's Labour Party and many other social democratic parties, and move in the direction of economic liberalism.
Members of the new Stefna group hope that the current turmoil will eventually clear the lines of political difference on the Icelandic left. Now that the far-left is regrouped outside the coalition, it should find it easier to fight neoliberalism and criticise the social democratic coalition. Stefna hopes it will also promote honest cooperation between everyone fighting neoliberalism and fighting for the interests of the working people, the unemployed and other victims of the growing inequality of Icelandic society. * Contact: Stefna, P.O.Box 429 IS-121 Reykjavik, Iceland. E-mail: <[email protected]> Web: http://artemis.centrum.is/~stefna/
* Nicaragua