The Control and Constitution Committee is considering convening a hearing to assess the government’s management of Ukraine.
This happens after, by the way, Dagbladet mentioned a number of belated responses to requests from the Ukrainian official side. Furthermore, the government is accused – at best – of providing insufficient information to the Storting in Ukraine.
The matter could end tomorrow.
Dagbladet is aware that several members of the monitoring committee want a tougher line towards the government on this matter. Dagbladet is also aware that Høyre is perceived as a brake in this respect.
According to Dagbladet’s sources, Erna Solberg’s party, which has made several critical proposals for the government’s handling of Ukraine, is struggling to agree with itself in the chamber. The Conservative Party rejects internal disagreement.
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Softened questions
On 18 October, a new set of questions was sent to the ministers responsible for relations with Ukraine: Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) and Minister of Health and of the assistance Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap).
The latest round of written questions from the ruling committee clarifies the line of conflict within the oversight committee.
These questions were not as broad as the more critical voices on the commission wanted. It was the Conservative Party that downplayed the demands, according to Dagbladet’s information.
– It is true that at the beginning of the trial the Conservative Party had broader questions for the government, the leader of the monitoring committee Peter Frølich (H) told Dagbladet.
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Listened to the government
He says the Conservative Party chose to listen to feedback from APS and SPS representatives before the government was pressed further.
– Therefore, a joint committee could support the letters that were eventually sent to the government. I think it has its value. However, the most important questions were asked, says Frølich.
The monitoring committee is currently examining how the government handled arms supplies to Ukraine and the treatment of Ukrainian soldiers in Norwegian hospitals. The key points are the information the government provided to Storting and when this information was disclosed.
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– It is quite possible that some perceive us as a brake pad. But we work effectively and comprehensively with the control work. I am eager to treat the government fairly. We will then use the time necessary to investigate the case, she says.
Management involved
The Conservative party has two representatives on the oversight committee: Svein Harberg and the committee leader Frølich.
But in the important questions about a possible hearing in the case, it is natural that the party leadership is also involved, Dagbladet confirmed.
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So far, the Liberal Party, the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party have stated that they believe a hearing is becoming inevitable. According to Dagbladet’s knowledge, the other parties in the control and constitutional committee have been much more uncertain, but no decision has been made pending the government’s written response to the committee.
In late August, Dagbladet reported that it could go on against a serious scrutiny hearing by a number of government members. Tomorrow the monitoring committee will meet for a new meeting, where further elaborations will be decided.
Four out of ten members of the monitoring committee have to vote yes for a hearing to take place.
