CONCERNED: Sveinung Rotevatn wants you to keep your trust in the democratic institutions in Norway – such as the one right behind him. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / VG
Several leading Labor politicians have linked the share scandal in the Conservative Party to the election results. Prime Minister Støre must now put an end to these speculations, says Venstre deputy leader Sveinung Rotevatn.
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Less than 20 minutes ago
– Støre must come out clearly and state that we have free and fair elections in Norway and a free press, says Rotevatn to VG.
– And that people must stop speculating about whether the media has withheld information or whether matters could influence the election result. And by people I mean people in his own party.
“I hope that no media have sat on the case about Sindre Finnes’ share trading before the local elections, but chose to wait,” wrote Raymond Johansen (Ap) on Facebook.
He later deleted the post, apologized for it, and himself pointed out that it could be perceived as conspiratorial.
LO leader Peggy Hessen Følsvik asked the press to calm down.
– Also, I also hear that there is talk that this case should perhaps have come to light in the media before the election, and in that case I believe that this is very problematic if there is someone who has been sitting on information here and did not let it come out with considering that we are facing an election, she stated in an NRK broadcast.
THE CHIEF: It is the man at the top who must put an end to the speculation, Rotevatn believes. Earlier in the week, Støre was on top of the residence of the Norwegian UN ambassador, in connection with UN week in New York. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
She has later expressed that this plot was an outlet for frustration. The LO leader has specified that she believes it is the Conservative Party, Erna Solberg and Sindre Finnes who should have shown openness sooner.
In Stavanger, the Labor Party’s group leader Dag Mossige has expressed that it is plausible that the election would have looked different if the Finnes scandal had come to light the week before election night.
– But it obviously casts a shadow over the result and the new administration here in Stavanger when so many say they would have voted differently, says Mossige to TV2.
Rotevatn believes these statements undermine trust in democratic institutions.
– One can understand that central Ap people are disappointed by the election result, but that is not acceptable. Then the boss, i.e. Støre, has to say that it has to end.
Politics always rolls on, and there will probably never be an end to scandals, Rotevatn believes. Something big can happen ten days or ten months after an election – which could have given a different result.
– But the election has a date. It is a very basic premise of our democracy that elections are carried out, and then we accept it. Then you can’t speculate on what could have happened if you knew such and such, he says.
– If you are going to make such claims, you must have good reasons for it, to say the least.
SETTLEMENT DEMAND: Rotevatn has a clear message for Støre. In this picture from November 2022, on the other hand, it looks as if the Prime Minister had a clear message for the parliamentary representative. Photo: Tore Kristiansen / VG
He reacts particularly strongly to speculation about whether the media has withheld information about Finnes’ share dealings.
– There are extremely serious accusations on no basis, says Rotevatn.
He believes Mossige’s statements that there is a shadow over the election result are scary.
– I stand by every word I have said, and have no need to comment on Rotevatn’s statement about my performance, says Dag Mossige to VG.
– If there were only members in Ap, it would have been one thing. But Raymond Johansen and Peggy Hessen Følsvik sit on the central board, says Rotevatn.
The Liberal deputy leader believes the two have only “halfway apologized”.
– It is time for Støre to send a clear signal to his own people.
– But Raymond Johansen has apologized for his statement, and Peggy Hessen Følsvik has clarified hers. Why are you not satisfied?
– Raymond Johansen should say clearly that there is no basis for speculating on something like that, and that he trusts the press to present matters when they are ready. This requires much more than saying that it was a clumsy wording.
To VG, Raymond Johansen says that he has apologized for his Facebook post in all directions for a week now.
He also refers to his regret on Facebook, where he writes, among other things:
– I should never have used my position to cast doubt on the media’s independence and social mission. I sincerely apologize for that.
– In Norway we have a good and critical press. Both elected and voters should be happy about that. We must endure being seen in the short. It is a prerequisite for a well-functioning democracy.
– Thinking about Trump
Rotevatn points out how accusations of stolen elections have damaged American democracy.
– It is easy to start thinking about Trump and accuse people of doing like him, but I will not do that, he says and continues:
– The USA is an example of how bad things can go when broad sections of the population begin to doubt the election results. The USA is a completely different place and much worse, but there is reason to warn in Norway as well.
– No reason to discuss
Education Minister Tonje Brenna (Ap) has been presented with the statements from Sveinung Rotevatn and is responding on behalf of the government.
She emphasizes:
– The press is doing its job. They are critical, scrutinizing, and end up regularly turning on us who have power. That’s good, and we should be happy about that.
She is also clear that the election result is the election result.
– There is no reason to spend time discussing that. My job as deputy leader of the Labor Party is to raise the discussion about the way forward and what we can do next to come back strongly towards the general election in 2025.
– The Solberg case came a few days after the election. Questions have been raised about the timing. Erna Solberg must answer those questions.
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Published: 24.09.23 at 12:52 p.m
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2023-09-24 10:52:17
#statements #Time #Støre #send #clear #signal
