Termination of cooperation agreement between Gran Arbeiderparti and Gran Senterparti 2019-2023.
It is with regret that Gran Arbeiderparti terminates the collaboration agreement with Gran Senterparti with immediate effect. The reason for the breach is not cooperation challenges with the Center Party as such, but is justified in the following circumstances:
Ever since the turn of the year 2019/2020, the Center Party’s group has been divided on important matters covered by the cooperation agreement. In this context, group leader/deputy mayor belongs to the minority in SP’s municipal council group. This has made the collaborative dialogue unclear and exhausting. Several meetings have been held between the parties, in which the local party leaders have also participated, in the hope of finding compromises and making the cooperation work better. This has not been successful.
In our assessment, the extended buy-out of the deputy mayor has contributed to a lack of understanding of responsibilities and roles. The deputy mayor’s submitted minutes, resolution proposal and input from the lectern in the municipal council meeting on 7 March 2023 contained accusations against the mayor of such a nature that, after an overall assessment, we find it futile to continue the collaboration. It is our opinion that the situation as it is now expressed is no longer just an internal matter between our two parties, but also unfortunate for the whole municipality as an organisation.
The Labor Party’s group will continue to work to realize as many of the political matters covered by the political cooperation platform as possible. On a case-by-case basis, we will enter into a dialogue with elected representatives, regardless of party affiliation, who want to find solutions and enter into the necessary compromises in order to achieve the best possible offer for our citizens.
We would like to emphasize that Gran Arbeiderparti does not thereby cancel future cooperation with the Center Party locally. On the contrary, we are starting with blank slates in the upcoming election period and think it will go well to start a renewed, close and trusting collaboration between the two parties.
Great, 12. March 2023
The board and municipal board group in Gran Arbeiderparti
