By Rajive Singh
DUBAI: Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, raked up a controversy when he declared that if he had the power to ban pineapple toppings on pizzas, he would.
There was worldwide reaction with some calling his comments ‘courageous’ while others criticised the president. There was even a petition floating around at one point calling for Johannesson’s resignation.
In a world where there is so much negative news going on – though I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry over Donald Trump – the Icelandic president brought in a freshness that was awesome.
The Iceland Embassy website in UK received comments and supposedly a pineapple pizza delivery to which the diplomats responded: “Many thanks to the loyal supporters of the pineapple pizza, who sent us these delicious samples today! Although some of us remain skeptical, most are now utterly convinced 🍍🍕👍🏻.”
However, he had to back down and unfortunately the controversy has been laid to rest.
“I like pineapples, just not on pizza. I do not have the power to make laws which forbid people to put pineapples on their pizza. I am glad that I do not hold such power,” Johannesson said in a statement.
“Presidents should not have unlimited power. I would not want to hold this position if I could pass laws forbidding that which I don´t like. I would not want to live in such a country,” he said leaving a door open to further debate with a tail-end remark: “For pizzas, I recommend seafood”.