Business News
Icelanders call for end to privatisation of energy resources
Jan 17, 2011, 15:57 GMT
Reykjavik - A petition protesting plans to sell Icelandic energy resources to foreign interests was presented Monday to Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdadottir, crowning a campaign that included a marathon karaoke session.
Singer Bjork was one of the backers of the protest, Voice of the People, and attended a meeting with the premier.
Over 20 per cent of voters, or 48,000 people, signed the petition. The number was well over the 35,000-mark the prime minister has previously mentioned as necessary to consider staging a referendum on the issue.
A Canada-based group, Magma Energy, is at the centre of the debate, including its takeover of HS Orka, a geothermal power producer.
Bjork, 45, over the weekend took part in a three-day karaoke session held in several cities across the North Atlantic nation aimed at gathering more signatories.
She told reporters Monday she was pleased with the outcome and that a new meeting with the government was planned.
Read more about Ecology
Read more about Iceland Energy
