Iceland’s PM falls do to the Economic Crisis PLUS fear of increasing Violence and protest spread throughout the world

Iceland’s Prime Minister has resigned after weeks of violent protest…

“Iceland’s embattled Prime Minister Geir Haarde may have become the first political casualty of the global credit crisis, announcing his resignation yesterday, and clearing the way for elections in May. Illness was the official reason for Mr Haarde’s decision to quit, but few in the capital Reykjavik were in any doubt that his departure was linked to a week of intense and violent public protests at once prosperous Iceland’s economic implosion.

Since October’s financial earthquake Icelanders have vented their frustration, anger and despair in peaceful weekly protests. But demonstrations turned violent on Thursday, leading to 22 arrests and the worst civilian unrest since Iceland joined Nato in 1949″. See full story from The Independent UK HERE

Also China fears that riots due to worsening economic conditions increase…

“Without doubt, now we’re entering a peak period for mass incidents … In 2009, Chinese society may face even more conflicts and clashes that will test even more the governing abilities of the party and government at all levels,” said a senior Xinhua agency reporter, Huang Huo.

“The key is going to be what happens in a week or two. How many people are going to come back? And are there going to be jobs for them?” asked Geoffrey Crothall of China Labour Bulletin, a Hong Kong-based organisation defending mainland workers’ rights. “The most likely thing is that it will get heated after the new year. The government pulls out all the stops beforehand to make sure people have enough money to put in the red envelopes [traditional gifts] when they go home. It puts a false gloss on the real situation.” See story from The Guardian HERE

And finally, some video of all this HERE

Has the Revolution started in Iceland?

What could be inspiration to angry citizens across Europe, Iceland is possibly close to seeing a revolution due to the Economic Crisis.

“While Barack Obama was being sworn in to office on Capitol Hill yesterday, the people of Iceland were starting the first revolution in the history of the republic. The word “revolution” might sound a bit of an overstatement, but given the calm temperament that usually prevails in Icelandic politics, the unfolding events represent, at the very least, a revolution in political activism.

Four months after the collapse of Iceland’s entire financial system, no one has accepted any responsibility. Our currency has lost more than half its value, rampant inflation has already eaten up most people’s savings, property values have dropped by more than a third and unemployment is reaching levels never seen before in the life of our young republic. The fault is clearly shared between the business elite and the government, which failed to regulate the newly privatised financial sector, allowing a few incompetent and egotistical business tycoons to gamble with the nation’s fortune. And yet neither the government nor the bankers – who, by the way, seem to have disappeared into the cold thin air – see anything wrong with their own behaviour.” See full story HERE

Icelandic Prime Minister almost Lynched on live Television

A televised meeting with Iceland’s prime minister and other politicians was forced off the air Wednesday night when a angry torch-wielding crowd stormed Reykjavik’s Hotel Borg in an attempt to get to the studio.
Icelandic TV program featuring PM forced off air