SV is in the process of reversing the issue of NATO. SV leader Audun Lysbakken and a majority in the national board will no longer withdraw Norway from NATO.
On Sunday, SV’s national board considered the proposal for a principle program and security policy statement, which will be considered at the national meeting on March 17–19.
In the statement, a majority of 22 are in favor of SV no longer advocating a Norwegian withdrawal from NATO.
A minority of 14 instead wants the party to work to build other alliances and security arrangements that better safeguard world peace and Norwegian security interests than NATO.
SV leader Audun Lysbakken was part of the majority:
– SV’s criticism of NATO and Norway’s dependence on the USA is as clear as before, but a Norwegian withdrawal is not the way to go when Sweden and Finland are on their way to join NATO. Norway must stand together with our Nordic neighbours, not alone, he says.
Lysbakken’s long-term goals
The National Board decided that the formulations about alliances and the relationship with NATO will be taken out of the program of principles, and that this will only be dealt with in the security policy statement.
SV leader Lysbakken is sharply critical of US dominance in NATO and is clear on what the goal is.
– The long-term goal is still a Nordic and European security arrangement that is independent of the US. The way there is through cooperation with other countries.
– Extreme right-wing fear
Lysbakken will step down at the national meeting in March after leading the party since 2012.
He asks other parties to hold a joint debate like them.
– SV is now discussing changes to our security policy in a new situation, I would encourage the other parties to do the same. It is incredible that there is not a wider debate about Norway’s great dependence on the USA when we can once again have an extreme president from the far right in the White House in just two years, he says.
