Prime Minister and PA leader Jonas Gahr Støre called for and received support for a 2023 political marching order at the party’s central council meeting on Monday.
After record polls in the autumn, an increasingly pressured prime minister and party leader had to do so put up with questions about whether he’s the right man to manage the Ap-skuta.
He and the management have been accused of falling into the shadow of a cheerful and blue Erna Solberg (H), who surfs readings above 30%. ON TV 2 December Poll On Monday night, the Right gets 30.9 per cent, which is the highest in a TV 2 poll since the autumn of 2013. Labor gets 19.8 per cent, while Sp comes in at 5.1 per cent.
At the meeting of the central councilThe Central Council is the Labor Party’s highest national council and the highest party body after the National Assembly and the National Council. Source: Ap. On Monday at Youngstorget, Støre went on the offensive and presented a plan which sought approval.
– One move is decisive
Støre tells VG after the fight that he must have priority much stronger than ever.
– Crises will characterize the winter and the government alone cannot get Norway out of international crises, but it is our job to face them safely and come out stronger.
He elaborates:
– One step is crucial now, and that is to set priorities much more clearly and decisively than has been common in Norway for 20 years. Don’t ask yourself what’s important anymore, but rather ask yourself what’s most important now and manage accordingly:
– That is why I took the initiative today for central government to adopt a declaration which clearly sets out the priorities of government and Labor, both nationally and locally, for the time ahead, and which reflects the priorities in the national budget as soon as adopted.
– These are the priorities
Here are the seven areas that Støre will prioritize:
- Keep people at work and include more people in working life.
- Implement the Youth Guarantee, which ensures safe upbringing, education and employment for children and young people.
- Dampen rapid and sharp jumps in interest rates and price growth through a tight budget.
- Strengthen the welfare state and universal welfare schemes.
- Reduce the burden of high electricity costs, be a stable gas supplier for a war-torn Europe and develop new energy solutions.
- Advocate for those who have less, such as single parents, people on disability benefits, the total or partial unemployed, minimally retired and others.
- Provide military and humanitarian aid by supporting Ukraine and neighboring countries, receiving refugees and enhancing NATO cooperation.
Støre says it will mean priority.
– The most important thing will be to keep unemployment low and ensure the lowest unemployment rate in Europe, have a safer and better organized working life, reduce social and geographical differences – and; have green industrial growth and emissions cuts in line with international obligations.
Adds:
– These are the priorities, and all are followed up and have consequences as early as January 1, 2023. This means that other things may have to wait.
– Isn’t it very surprising and new that you want to prioritize the seven areas?
– The times we live in will demand a lot from us over time. Then we need to establish clear political priorities.
– Must communicate more broadly
– Does prioritizing mean that something else has to be downgraded?
– We have to deal with the more important matters first. The important thing is to point out that this is our main course.
– It’s hard to imagine spending more in these priority areas, without risking being accused of helping to drive up interest rates?
– These areas are issues for which we have found space in the budget. This should ensure safe handling and safer everyday life for all who need it at a difficult time.
The government parties Ap and Sp recently agreed in negotiations with SV on next year’s state budget.
– Is it the state budget that will set the central spending guidelines in 2023, not your priorities?
– Yes, but this is a political emphasis on the national budget.
– Is this an attempt at a more offensive Støre?
– I find myself on the offensive and listen to the desire for clear messages. We need to communicate more widely and well with the party organization.
