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Iceland’s Prime Minister Steps Down Amid Panama Papers Scandal
transcript
Iceland Official on Leader’s Departure
Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, a government minister, announced Tuesday that Iceland’s embattled prime minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, offered his resignation amid a controversy over his offshore holdings.
AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY Reykjavik - 5 April 2016 1. Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson walking out of the meeting UPSOUND (Icelandic): “There have been some fun and interesting things that have gone on in the meeting. And you have reasons to be excited” (Reporters asking when to expect an announcement); Gunnlaugsson continues walking down steps // SOUNDBITE (Icelandic) Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, Iceland Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture: Johannsson: “It was the Prime Minister’s idea to do this (to resign).” (Reporter asks question) Johannsson: “He has mentioned it to the head of the Independence Party, and I will meet with him later today to discuss it.” 5. SOUNDBITE (Icelandic) Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, Iceland Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture: Reporter: “Will the coalition continue?” Johannsson: “That’s what the party wants.” Reporter: “So it’s in the hands of the Independence Party now?” Johannsson: “It always takes two to tango.” Reporter: “Will there be early elections or will the government continue?” Johannsson: “We haven’t discussed it with the Independence Party.” Reporter: “What do you want?” Johannsson: “The most natural would be for it to continue” 6. Johannsson walking away
LONDON — The revelation of vast wealth hidden by politicians and powerful figures across the globe set off criminal investigations on at least two continents on Tuesday, forced leaders from Europe to Asia to beat back calls for their removal and claimed its first political casualty — pressuring the prime minister of Iceland to step down.
Public outrage over millions of documents leaked from a boutique Panamanian law firm — now known as the Panama Papers — wrenched attention away from wars and humanitarian crises, as harsh new light was shed on the elaborate ways wealthy people hide money in secretive shell companies and offshore tax shelters.
The repercussions have come quickly. In Iceland, Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, confronted by demands for his resignation after documents revealing that he and his wealthy wife had set up a company in the British Virgin Islands led to accusations of a conflict of interest, asked his deputy to take over on Tuesday.
In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron faced calls for a government inquiry and accusations of bald hypocrisy by championing financial transparency — when the leaks showed that his family held undisclosed wealth in tax havens offshore.
In Pakistan, where roughly 20 percent of the population live on less than $1.25 a day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif angrily rebuffed opposition calls to resign, defended his riches as legally acquired, and demanded that his opponents back up their allegations of wrongdoing. His daughter said on Twitter to critics: “prove or apologize.”
Officials in France, Germany, Austria and South Korea said they were beginning investigations into possible malfeasance, from money laundering to tax evasion. France’s finance minister, Michel Sapin, told Parliament the government was putting Panama back on a blacklist of havens for tax evaders.
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