Icelandic Prime Minister resigns over Panama Papers leaks

PanARMENIAN.Net - After widespread calls for his resignation, Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson stepped down Tuesday, April 5 -- an apparent casualty of the Panama Papers leaks, CNN reports.

Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, the deputy chair of Gunnlaugsson's Progressive Party, announced the resignation on national public broadcaster RUV.

Johannsson said he will take over. But he said Gunnlaugsson will remain head of the Progressive Party -- which might not go down well with some Icelanders who want nothing to do with him.

Gunnlaugsson had been under intense pressure to step down since leaked documents hacked from a Panamanian law firm revealed his links to an offshore company, triggering mass protests in the capital.

But Gunnlaugsson's resignation doesn't mean the dust has settled.

On Tuesday evening, protesters took to the streets of Reykjavik, demanding a change of government. They decried Johannsson's new role as Prime Minister, saying he was not elected.