Ropstad makes abortion the main thing – VG

– There is a great deal of seriousness about the situation. The difference between getting above or below the barrier limit is like night and day. If we fall short, we will lose important influence over Norwegian politics, says KrF leader Kjell Ingolf Ropstad.

In the parliamentary elections in 2017, KrF just managed to end up above the magic barrier limit, which goes at 4 percent.

If a party crosses the threshold, it gives the right to precious equalization mandates.

At the beginning of this year’s election campaign, things look significantly darker for Ropstad. In July, the party had an average of only 3.2 percent on one section of the measurements.

The KrF leader acknowledges that the party has probably never been in such a bad position before a parliamentary election.

– I think that’s true. At the same time, it is entirely possible to mobilize and bring voters back again, says Ropstad.

Makes ten promises – brings forward abortion

VG meets Ropstad in Frognerparken in Oslo. Here he presents the party’s ten most important election promises, which he hopes will get voters back.

In addition to typical KrF issues such as family and elderly policy and getting more play into the school, Ropstad is fighting against a “radical extension of the abortion law” as one of the party’s main issues.

– Why is abortion an election campaign issue for KrF?

– I really wish it was not. Unfortunately, there is a high probability that a change of government will make a radical extension of the abortion law when four out of five parties on the left are in favor of enlargement. Of course, KrF will be a clear opponent of that.

– Is it a good election campaign issue for KrF?

– The majority of the people do not want such a radical expansion. I take this as a great inspiration and support in the election campaign, says Ropstad.

Red-green abortion changes

Both Rødt and SV decided at their national meetings this spring to support self-determined abortion until week 22 of pregnancy. The Labor Party and the Green Party (MDG) will have a self-determined abortion until week 18.

With the current abortion law, the woman has self-determination until the 12th week. After that, an application for an abortion must be approved by a board consisting of two doctors.

– Was it a bit of a drag to get KrF over the barrier that SV and other parties went in to liberalize the abortion law?

– I really wish they did not, because I fundamentally disagree with that case. But when they have done so, it is a reminder to many that we need KrF: Whether it is to fight against active euthanasia or against a radical extension of the abortion law.

– Is it a bit of a spasm of KrF to focus on abortion in the election campaign, now that you are below the threshold?

– I want to turn it around and say that it would have been very special if KrF did not raise its voice in that matter.

Will restrict the abortion law

Ropstad says that he himself wants a new abortion law that safeguards “the child’s legal protection and human dignity” on the one hand – and the woman’s safety and health on the other.

Such legislation must come as a result of a wish from the parliamentary majority and a thorough report, the KrF leader states.

– But KrF’s primary position is to restrict the abortion law?

– Yes, we point to a direction where we raise the human dignity of the child. But the debate today, and where there may be a change, is a radical expansion. That is why we are a clear opponent in that debate.

Unclear about self-determination

– Are you for self-determined abortion in the first place?

– In other words, we have said that we want new legislation that strengthens the child’s legal protection and human dignity. But exactly how those dilemmas should be solved and how the legislation should be, we have said that we want to investigate.

– Are you for self-determined abortion or not?

– We want new legislation that raises the child’s human dignity …

– But should that legislation contain self-determined abortion?

– That is what the report will show, says Ropstad.

Relatives’ support and preschool class

In addition to abortion, Ropstad says that it is family and elderly policy that will be the most important issues for the party in the election campaign.

The KrF leader says that in any new government negotiations he will prioritize continued cash support, reduced price of SFO and kindergartens, leisure cards for all young people between six and 18 years, as well as the development of nursing home places.

– Relatives’ support will also be a very important issue, says Ropstad about the party’s demand that relatives who take care of the elderly should be paid 7,500 kroner a month.

Replacing the first grade in primary school with a «preschool class», which should contain more play than in the current system, is also a promise.

Ropstad has previously stated to VG that KrF is guarantor of continued cash support.

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