Hafnarfjörður Rejects Aluminium Giant

The biggest news last weekend are undoubtedly the results of the residential elections in Hafnarfjörður on Saturday when the town’s residents rejected the plans to enlarge the Straumsvík aluminium smelter, owned by the industrial giant Alcan. Of 12.747 people, 50,06% voted no and 49,37 voted yes. The difference between the two groups was only 88 votes, resulting in the town being divided into two almost equal halves. Alcan is now reviewing those close results and assess the impact they may have on the smelter. This sure was a happy day for environmental enthusiasts who interpreted the results as a turning point in the heavy-industry dilemma. The environmental group Saving Iceland wrote that the outcome was “a great victory for lovers of Iceland´s nature and life!”, hoping that the current government, which has been supporting heavy-industry plans, will be thrown out of power in the general elections in May. But while the one half celebrates the other one is not only disappointed and frustrated but has already started accusing the opponents of an election scam. The organization Hagur Hafnarfjarðar is now arguing that approximately 700 people had moved their legal residence to Hafnarfjörður, only to get the right to vote against the expansion. The organization is considering an investigation. Jón Sigurðsson, Minister of Industry and Commerce, told RUV that the results doesn’t mean that plans for further projects around the country will be cancelled. Glitnir Bank explains which effects this might have on the economy and the market while adding that "the outcome increases the likelihood of a smelter in Helguvík in coming quarters". So although environmentalists are celebrating one victory at the moment, they will most likely have enough to protest in the future.