PPI in Support of #PiratesforIceland

PPI in Support of #PiratesforIceland
 
 
iceland_pirate_party
 
Geneva, Switzerland, October 29th, 2016 – This Saturday, October 29th, 2016 is election day in Iceland. As it currently stands, the Pirate Party is polling at 24%, meaning that over 1 in 5 voters are likely to vote Pirate. They are ahead of all the other political parties, including their main opposition, the Independence Party. 
 
Regardless of who ends up in the lead, we know that the new Icelandic government will be largely formed by the Pirates, and in fact will have the most Pirates ever elected to any national parliament. This means that evidence-based and forward thinking policies on open government, direct democracy, and ending the war on drugs are more likely than ever to be put into practice. And we can’t wait to see it. In the words of Patrick Schiffer, Chairman of the German Pirate Party: 
 
“The Icelandic people have survived many crises in recent years. The financial crisis has been considerably damaging to the banking sector and the labor market. Many people had to give up their jobs and start over entirely, and the older political parties have failed in their approach to Iceland’s problems in the wake of it all, losing their credibility with the people. The Pirate Party on the other hand, with their fresh, new ideas have a positive reputation, as shown in the polls just before the election. There is a very possible government takeover by the Pirates in the near future. The Icelandic Pirate Party wants to give more opportunities for the population to invest in themselves and help determine Iceland’s future. Pirates all over the world stand for a transparent direct democracy, and in Iceland this could soon be a real government policy. Icelandic Pirates and possible coalition partners have already had discussions. This is new and empowering in itself! We wish the Icelandic PIRATES a good election result, and I myself will be in Iceland during the elections to help. Go Pirates!”
 

Not only are we anticipating a historic victory for the Icelandic Pirates, but this will be a victory for the Pirate movement as a whole. Whether you are in Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, Africa or elsewhere, we have all been watching Iceland and knew this exciting time was coming. Iceland is inspirational to us all, and we will take that inspiration to our national parties, as well as PPI, and the movement will continue to grow.

Now, our brothers and sisters in Iceland need our support. Many of you are in Reykjavik already, helping out. And in many places around the world, Pirates are getting together to watch the results. This week, it is #PiratesForIceland all over the world. Go to www.PiratesForIceland.Party to watch the livestream from Reykjavik, to follow Pirates vlog and blog and livetweet of the elections, to organize your own #PiratesForIceland Party, and to get in touch with other Pirates somewhere in the world, supporting Iceland.
 
If you are organizing a #PiratesforIceland event this Saturday, remember to contact Thomas De Groot [thomas@piratenpartij.nl] as soon as possible. There is also a Cryptpad document to add your information and get informed on how tomorrow will work. 
 
All the best to our Icelandic comrades this Saturday!
 
 Pirate Parties International