Iceland election could propel radical Pirate party into power

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Iceland election could propel radical Pirate party into power

Party founded by activists and hackers four years ago on course
to either win or finish a close second on Saturday

Jon Henley and Luke Harding
Wednesday 26 October 2016 10.40 BST

A party that favours direct democracy, complete government transparency, decriminalising drugs and offering asylum to Edward Snowden could form the next government in Iceland after the country goes to the polls on Saturday.

Riding a wave of public anger at perceived political corruption in the wake of the 2008 financial crash and the Panama Papers scandal in April, Iceland’s Pirate party looks on course to either win or finish a close second.

The radical party, founded by activists and hackers four years ago as part of an international anti-copyright movement, captured 5% of the vote in 2013 elections, winning three seats in Iceland’s 63-member parliament, the Althingi.

This time around, analysts say it could win between 18 and 20 seats. This would put it in pole position to form a government at the head of a broad progressive alliance of up to five parties currently in opposition.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/26/iceland-election-could-propel-radical-pirate-party-into-power

[iandhr]

1. Arrrgh maties.

[Wilms]

2. Radical

Defend the freedom of expression, communication, education; respect the privacy of citizens and civil rights in general.

Defend the free flow of ideas, knowledge and culture.

Support politically the reform of copyright and patent laws.

Have a commitment to work collaboratively, and participate with maximum transparency.

Do not accept or espouse discrimination of ethnicity, origin, beliefs[citation needed] and gender.

Do not support actions that involve violence.

Use free software, free hardware, DIY and open protocols whenever possible.

Politically defend an open, participative and collaborative construction of any public policy.

Direct democracy

Open access

Open data

Solidarity economy[citation needed], Economy for the Common Good[citation needed] and promote solidarity with other pirates.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_Party#Common_policies