comments expresses the writer’s opinions.
(North Norwegian debate): It has caused reactions after the leader of Unge Høyre, Ola Svenneby, in an interview with Aftenposten a week ago says that in Norway we see clear examples that we have fundamental problems that we have not solved, related to integration.
He refers to developments in Sweden and France, and fears that Norway may move in the same direction.
Svenneby is absolutely right when he points to fear of touch and carelessness in meeting cultures which are obvious challenges in our own country.
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The leader of Unge Høyre believes that it sends the wrong signals when the Minister of Culture and the school council in Oslo defend those who refuse to shake hands with women, and downplays it as an individual choice.
Svenneby receives a lot of criticism from central voices in the Labor Party. It’s funny, they should learn from him instead of criticizing. It is Svenneby who stands for social democratic politics, in contrast to those in the Labor Party who attack him.
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Svenneby’s message is about what is needed to bind us together, to maintain community and equality.
Historian of ideas Tarjei Skirbekk has shown in his book “De moderate folkepartienes fall”, that the two major party groups in Europe, which have set the tone for liberal democracy, are now fading away.
The Social Democrats in France got 1.74 percent in the presidential election last year, just five years after being in power. It shows that policies that are not at eye level with the population can have brutal consequences.
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Large parties that are unable to capture what is stirring in the population and design new policies reinforce the underlying polarization and weaken the stability of society.
Immigration policy is just such an example. But it is also possible to create trust by adjusting the policy. This can not least explain Mette Frederiksen’s success, with her ability to create broad compromises in Denmark.
Many people think Svenneby is brave. It is the wrong word for something that is obvious. On the other hand, he is honest. And Høyre and Erna Solberg can be satisfied with having him in their ranks.
Being responsive to people’s concerns related to crime, immigration and integration is crucial in order to retain the position as a broad coalition of voters.
Svenneby has done both the Conservative Party and the public debate a service. Not primarily because he says something the voters largely agree with him on, but because he points to the causes of the problems, and the solutions.
Getting better at integration is also related to the pace of immigration.
2023-07-14 13:13:15
#Svenneby
