Rørt Støre: – Has meant a lot

UTØYA (Dagbladet): A strongly influenced Jonas Gahr Støre takes MS Thorbjørn to Utøya together with Dagbladet on Wednesday morning.

Tomorrow is ten years since the atrocities of July 22, 2011. Støre has been caught, but seriously.

– This is a day where we will gather to remember and miss those who are not among us, Støre says to Dagbladet.

In the background, the boat engine is ringing steadily. Utøya immediately appears in the field of view of the Labor Party leader. He is silent for a second.

– Look. Every time I see Utøya, I am also characterized by hope, by the idea that this is a place where young people have taken hold and built something new. It’s good to think in the middle of the memory of what happened out here. But AUF has taken the island back, he says.

– How does it feel in your stomach on a day like this?

– It is something very special, no doubt about it, Støre answers.

He was foreign minister when 69 people lost their lives at the Labor Party’s summer camp in 2011.

Touched Jonas

Støre will immediately receive his friend Stefan Löfven. The Swedish Prime Minister has interrupted his own holiday to show his respect and lay a wreath on Utøya today.

– Stefan even has a birthday today. That he chooses to come here means an incredible deal. It’s touching.

Refuses to state “plan B”

– It has meant an incredible amount, I am also moved by the thought of the support and understanding Stefan has shown in the ten years that have passed, Støre continues.

This is the third time the Swedish Prime Minister has visited Utøya.

– It’s strong to be here. The Norwegian and Swedish labor movements have stood together in this, says Löfven as he goes ashore on Utøya.

He is presented with a birthday present from AUF leader Astrid Hoem.

– It means an incredible deal to me to be here, Löfven adds.

Armament and vandalism

Støre says he is happy that Utøya has once again become a place for politics and future optimism, but is worried about trends in society.

– PST is clear that right-wing extremist attitudes are a major threat, and it is frightening. These are attitudes that everyone must distance themselves from, says the Labor leader, who reiterates that all political parties have a responsibility to clean up such ideas in their own ranks.

– The police have general armament these days, what does that tell you?

– It is an assessment the police take, which I support.

Yesterday it aroused indignation when the memorial to Benjamin Hermansen was tagged down with the text “Breivik was right”.

– It is mockery and expressions of extreme attitudes that are cruel. That it happens this week, shortly before July 22, and at the same time as the Muslims’ eid celebration, makes the matter more serious. Now it is the police’s task to take that case further, says Støre.

The boat docks. The Labor leader lets the survivors who have also taken the trip go ashore first.

– After you, he says and smiles.

– I’m glad to see you.

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