Iceland appoints new PM

Reykjavik, April 7: The Iceland government has appointed former agriculture and fisheries minister, Sigurdur Ingi as the country’s new prime minister and pledged to hold early parliamentary elections before the end of this year. The move on Wednesday came after former prime minister and ruling Progressive Party (PP) chairman Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson stepped down in the wake of the leaked Pama Papers, BBC reported on Thursday. The leaks, from Pama law firm Mossack Fonseca, showed Gunnlaugsson owned an offshore firm with his wife. However, Gunnlaugsson said he sold his shares to his wife and denies any wrongdoing. But he is accused of concealing millions of dollars’ worth of family assets. (ians)