User:DragonFire1024/Story preparation/Wikinews interviews Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, Iceland's first openly gay prime minister

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{{Iceland}}

Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir

Questions have been sent to Jóhanna. Please do not add anymore questions as they will not be answered by her.

I have been given the opportunity at a Wikinews second. In writing to Iceland's government on obtaining a photo, I ended up being directed to the secretary of the nation's Prime Minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir. I ended up asking that once she is appointed to PM, if she would be willing to do an interview and with luck, I have been granted one.

I have done a brief description (please feel free to add to it) of her and her soon to be position position below.

Article

On January 26, 2009, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir made world history, being appointed as Iceland's, and the world's, first openly gay prime minister and the nations first female prime minister. She is also the longest serving member of Iceland's parliament. Wikinews interviewed Jóhanna, asking her about politics, her personal life and the Icelandic economy. This marks the second time Wikinews interviewed of a head-of-state. The first was of then president of Israel, Shimon Peres.

In 1970, Jóhanna married, Þorvaldur Steinar Jóhannesson. They currently have two sons, born in 1972 and 1977. They later divorced and in 2002, Jóhanna married her life-partner, Jonina Leosdottir, in a civil union. Iceland legalized gay marriages in 1996.

Jóhanna, 66, had support from both parties in the new coalition government, and she says she will accept the position under the condition that both parties will trust her. On January 27, it was announced that the nation's coalition government had collapsed and dissolved following their handling of the international financial crisis. In October of 2008, Iceland's banking sector collapsed and was largely nationalized.

A 2008 poll conducted in December, found that 73% of 2,000 people surveyed supported Jóhanna, which would make her the country's most popular prime minister in their government's history.

Before entering the world of politics, Jóhanna worked for Loftleidir Airlines as a flight attendant for about 10 years, and was elected to parliament in 1978. From 1987 to 1994 and then from 2007 until the present day, she has served as the country's Minister for Social Affairs.

Questions

WikinewsNow that you are prime minister, what will your first plan of action be regarding Iceland's economic crisis?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsWhat caused the nation's economy to essentially collapse nearly completely and what can be done so a situation similar to this is prevented from happening again in the future?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsDo you have any fears that your accomplishments as Prime Minister will be overshadowed by your sexuality?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsThe French government follows the example of Northern European countries, in matters of social and economic management. Do you think it's right? Do you think, "large" countries can be managed the same way the "small" ones?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsWho do you blame for the collapse of the Icelandic banks and their subsequent nationalisation? Are there avenues to legally prosecute those responsible? Or, must government simply review the events and attempt to legislate against a recurrence?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsDuring the Davos World Economic Forum discussions there were protests asserting that those in attendance were not qualified to address current global problems. One of the arguments the protesters used was that this is the same people as last year, and they did not see this coming. One commentator on the BBC's news website even asks, if our economic system can so dramatically collapse, why do the people at Davos not seriously discuss alternatives to capitalism. Have global leaders failed their public? Has the current economic system failed us all?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsThe European Union has said that they will help Iceland with their financial crisis, provided the country joins or applies to join the EU. What will the EU do to help your economy? Does Iceland have any plans to join the EU?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsSeveral countries, including the US have passed or are in the process of passing economic stimulus legislation. Does Iceland have any plans at doing something similar? If so, would it be largely used to bail out the banking system?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsHave you been following the recent controversy in the United States surrounding California Proposition 8 (2008)? What is your feeling regarding religious groups attempting to manipulate politics and government through utilizing their money and influence in this arena?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsHow does global warming affect Iceland in the near future? Do you have a plan to address this problem and environmental issues in the country?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsWill Iceland continue to support the United States military efforts in Iraq and Afganistan? How will this change under your leadership?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsWill your life partner, Jónína Leósdóttir, have a role in the government such as making decisions or speak on issues to the country? Will she be consulted on political and governmental issues?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsHow will you address Iceland's conflict with Denmark and the United Kingdom and Ireland over the claims to the continental shelf in the Hatton–Rockall area of the North Atlantic?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsWhat is your take on the Icesave dispute, and how will you address this issue to resolve the conflict with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsHow will Iceland respond to climate change, given that it's already well placed in terms of alternate energy sources?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsHow will the 2008–2009 Icelandic financial crisis affect future investment in domestic resources such as transporation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and science research?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsWhat is your favorite sport? What are some of your favorite Icelandic sports teams?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsWhat will Iceland's policy towards the UK be under your administration? Under the previous administrations, relations were tense due to the UK government's seizure of Icelandic monies in UK banks to reimburse UK account holders who had money in Icelandic banks. Has that issue been resolved? Also, how does your administration feel about the use of terrorism laws to perform these types of seizures?

Jóhanna:

WikinewsThe relationship between Iceland and the UK hasn't been very warm ever since the 'Cod Wars' and now with the collapse of Icelandic banks and the effect it has had upon institutions and government branches in the UK, what are your plans for building a better relationship with the UK?

Jóhanna: