Jonas Gahr Støre talks about party succession and social security at the national meeting

HELSINGFORS (Aftenposten): Jonas Gahr Støre believes that he has acquired an inheritance. He also defends Kjersti Stenseng and tells what he wants the national meeting to really be about.

On the flight from Oslo Airport to Helsinki, there is no turbulence to be detected. The same cannot be said about the situation in the Labor Party. It has stormed towards the national meeting, which starts on Thursday.

Much has been about who will sit in the party leadership. There, Støre is now joined by Tonje Brenna and Jan Christian Vestre as deputy leaders, both survivors of Utøya. It has long been pointed out that the line of succession in the party is thin. This is something Støre has received criticism for. He believes that problem has now been solved.

– Now they will only be elected by the national assembly later this week. But they are the story of the future of the Labor Party and social democracy. They are exceptionally talented politicians, who have shown that they understand politics, society, people’s needs, and they deliver results, says Støre about Brenna and Vestre.

He believes the duo combines being both young and very experienced.

– It is a unique capacity. I feel a sense of security and relief that they are now taking these important positions. They will be in politics longer than me.

– In the Conservative Party, there have long been several candidates to take over the day Erna Solberg leaves. Have you now acquired an inheritance?

– In relation to when I came in and the years I have been leader, I can now say to myself that I have taken that responsibility. There is a new generation now with broad experience, so that the day it is not me, the party has great freedom of choice in a good breadth, says Støre.

– Brenna and Vestre are appointed as co-chairs. Is it a sign that both are suitable to take over the day Støre gives up?

– It is not always the case that the deputy leader is the next leader, but it is an important job. A few years ago it was more like you wondered who you have, but now I can say that we could have chosen more people for those posts, says Støre.

Tar Stenseng in defence

Before the election committee started its work, Støre’s only admonition was that the new leadership should be unifying and offer renewal.

The renewal comes in the form of the deputy leaders. The collection is worse. There have been major internal disagreements about who should hold the important post of party secretary.

Kjersti Stenseng was nominated for re-election by the committee. Then Helga Pedersen signed up for the race and fired up the vote counters with promises of match voting. Then she withdrew. A phone call from Støre contributed to that choice.

– What do you think about the criticism you have received after the phone call?

– It is perfectly fine. They can have opinions about that. I believe it was my right and duty to clarify that question. I did that. That question is then clarified, and then people can have their opinion on it, says Støre.

He defends Stenseng.

– I would like to say that she has faced a difficult time. I think she has done a good job, says Støre about the heavily criticized party secretary.

He believes Ap has good lists, has brought forward more women and more with an immigrant background.

– She has taken care of the finances in the party during a demanding time, and we are equipped for a very good election campaign.

Støre emphasizes that he, as party leader, also bears much of the responsibility for the stability of the party.

– She is motivated to go on a new term. The election committee has made an overall assessment. It provides a good basis for working well together.

A social security revolt

Before the national meeting, tension is also linked to several proposals on social security.

In April, Aftenposten charted how the party leadership would have a strong social security revolt against them. An overwhelming majority of the delegates come from county teams who want to increase social security.

Støre is looking forward to the debate.

– I do not want a welfare state that is stingy towards those who are outside, so that they forced at work. But I want a welfare state that is ambitious, that follows up on “do your duty, demand your right”, says Støre.

This is what he wants the national meeting to be about

In his speech to the national meeting, Støre will spend some time on one particular group. There are around 100,000 young people aged 15 to 29 who are not in work, education or training.

Støre shows that the proportion has been stable over 15 years. He does not doubt that previous governments have tried to do something, or that there are measures that work.

– But this is not good enough, says Støre.

– I have made this into what I call “the next 100,000”, says Støre.

With that, he refers to the fact that over 100,000 more people came to work last year.

Now it is this group that should be focused on.

– If you go all the way until you are 30 years old outside of work and education, the risk is great that you have set yourself up to be outside for the rest of your life, says Støre.

This is what he wants the national meeting to be about.

Støre refers to three important measures to reduce the proportion of young people out of work and school.

Almost 400 new appointments in Nav will put young people together with companies that need labour.

The second is that the government will set aside a quarter of a billion kroner in the revised state budget for labor market initiatives.

The third is about the fact that the foundations for alienation are often laid long before a person turns 15. Schools and kindergartens must be invested in. Støre particularly highlights the vocational subjects as important.