– I believe that the Labor Party must guarantee that they will actually contribute to the oil industry continuing to look for new areas – ie additional sources and new areas.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg demands the guarantee from the Labor leader after further oil exploration on the Norwegian shelf has been put into political play ahead of a possible change of power in this autumn’s parliamentary elections.
Planning a big climate victory in secret
– Unclear speech
Dagbladet has written that The Labor Party leadership is working intensely to secure SV a climate winner in the form of a stop in almost all oil exploration in new areas. According to party sources, they are working to write together the party programs of the Labor Party, the Socialist People’s Party and the Socialist People’s Party, and give the latter a breakthrough in almost complete oil exploration.
The Prime Minister believes that it is absolutely crucial for the Norwegian economy that the country’s largest party is burdened with the oil industry.
– I think it will be a bit vague speech, if you have in mind to go in for this. So they need to be clear on what they want and what they stand for. It is important for the industry, it is important for future development, that they get a clear message about what the Labor Party wants, Solberg tells Dagbladet.
Solberg acknowledged the demand for his fiercest opponent during his semi-annual summary for the press. The stage was the roof of the new National Museum in the middle of the capital, for the occasion bathed in the warming June sun, but with threatening clouds over the fjord. The Prime Minister says that she is a little confused about what the Labor Party really wants to promise SV.
Refser SV: – An inalienable requirement
«Wishy-washy»
– I perceive it as a bit wishy-washy what was said from the Labor sources. Because there are almost no new areas that will open in the future – they are open. We have formally opened most things now. So what they’re really putting into this, I do not know.
After Dagbladet’s first case, several Labor leaders have moved out to reject such an SV victory in oil policy. The leader of the trade union IndustriEnergi Frode Alfheim also says he is confident that there will be no oil victory for Audun Lysbakken.
– Are you confident about how the oil policy will be under Jonas Gahr Støre?
– Our starting point is that we feel that the Labor Party has been clear. Except that we wanted an impact assessment of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja. There are potential important resources in that area, says Solberg.
– The post you have has made it more unclear. At the same time, I have seen all the denials that have been systematically posted by the leadership of the Labor Party about it afterwards.
Solberg believes that further exploration is very important for the industry, also when it is now to be restructured in a greener and more renewable direction.
– I think we will have plenty of room to talk about this in the future. It is important to say that this exploration capacity and exploration opportunities are an important part of maintaining the competence and knowledge that exists.
Rest assured that SV will not get an oil victory
– Must answer for himself
Labor leader Jonas Gahr Støre does not receive a binding guarantee as requested by the Prime Minister. He still insists on what the party’s policy is, namely to continue looking for oil off the Norwegian coast.
– The Labor Party is in favor of continued exploration on the Norwegian shelf. We will develop, not phase out and we will link emissions and create jobs, Støre writes in a response through his communications manager.
CANNOT GUARANTEE: Labor leader Jonas Gahr Støre emphasizes that the party’s policy is to continue to search for oil off the Norwegian coast. However, he cannot give a guarantee as Solberg calls for. Photo: Hans Arne Vedlog / Dagbladet
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He draws Solberg’s attention to the Labor Party’s adopted policy, and believes it should be easy for her to find out what it is.
– Erna Solberg can read in our program that we want a stable level of activity on the Norwegian shelf with increased elements of new industries such as offshore wind, hydrogen, CCS and other activity, writes Støre.
He thinks Solberg has just as big problems in his own camp, and points to the government partners in KrF and Venstre. Both parties have recently promised that they will put their foot down for a new exploration for oil and gas.
– And if it’s about partners, then both parties she has in government, KrF and Venstre, say no to all new exploration. So when asked where it is unclear speech, Solberg can start by answering for himself, Støre writes.
SV wants a rematch over the oil settlement
No guarantees
Dagbladet addresses the challenge to the Prime Minister’s office and Erna Solberg. Will she provide such a guarantee, as she asks of her main political challenger?
– The Conservatives’ national meeting recently decided that we still want to develop the Norwegian oil and gas industry, within the framework set by climate policy. Continuing to facilitate exploration is an important part of that. That is our policy, and what we go to the polls for, Solberg answers in an e-mail to Dagbladet.
She also refers to the party’s own policy, but gives no absolute guarantees. She nevertheless points out that the government she has led for almost eight years has continued the oil exploration, and that she believes in getting the co-operation parties involved in the future.
– We have found good solutions together with the Liberal Party over the last eight years to cut emissions in Norway. I believe that we will continue to do so in the future, Solberg writes.
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