Unmasking Western Populism: Duel between Geelmuyden and Vedum Sparks Heated Debate on Democracies and Politics

In a recent comment, “This is how we stop Vedum, Trump and Orbán”, Nettavisen columnist Hans Geelmuyden asked the following question:

– Why do people in the West vote for populists, and how can we fight for our liberal democracies?

Geelmuyden cited Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as good examples of this Western populism. At the same time, Geelmuyden launched what he believes is “the closest we get to this belief” in Norway, namely Finance Minister and Center Party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum.

The two were invited to a duel on Dagsnytt 18 on Tuesday evening.

– I just have to emphasize that I do not draw any similarities between you, Trump and Orbán, Geelmuyden initially said to Vedum, while he laughed a little in NRK’s ​​studio at Marienlyst. He got a serious look in return from the Center Party leader.

See the event here:

– But you are a populist, added Geelmuyden.

The former head of the PR agency Geelmuyden Kiese believes that populist politicians are masters at finding “simple answers to complicated social problems”, and that this is often attempted to be solved with “little knowledge-based politics”. Geelmuyden also argued that the Center Party’s fall from 22 per cent to 5 per cent shows that democracy is weakening this.

– The people see that the policy and the solutions you communicated cannot stand water, said Geelmuyden.

– Been called a lot of weirdos

When asked by NRK presenter Ingerid Stenvold if he is a “disguised populist”, Vedum replied that he has been called both Boris Johnson and Putin.

He also pointed out that this is not the first time he and Geelmuyden have been in conflict, considering Geelmuyden’s background from the communications industry. Vedum further said that Geelmuyden had been lobbying, and that the two disagreed on the EU issue.

– But are you a populist? repeated Stenvold.

– So, I am happy with the Norwegian People’s Government. People have called me all kinds of weird. I have made quite a few demanding choices in the last couple of years which have been very unpopular, because I believe my main task is to keep people in Norway safe, ensure that people in Norway keep their jobs, that you get back a better everyday economy as soon as possible, and so I am concerned with national control. That is why, when the Labor Party and the Center Party have been in power, we have prioritized defence, safety and developed the Norway we are so fond of, said Vedum.

– Now you have to stop talking!

At times the temperature at Marienlyst was high. Geelmuyden mentioned that the government’s election promises were that it was “ordinary people’s turn”, but that in practice there has hardly been any tax relief under the red-green government after this.

Vedum countered:

– But part of what we have done then, which Geelmuyden has become very angry about, is that we have tightened up the use of PR agencies. Because we thought it was wrong.

– Now you have to stop talking about it. I’m a commentator in Nettavisen, now you have to stop talking woosh! That’s not what it’s about, Geelmuyden exclaimed back.

See parts of the heated discussion here:

Vedum further said that they have ensured that 80 per cent of the population has received lower or equal tax, and that they have prioritized people with low pensions, commuters and working people around the country.

2024-03-05 18:49:11


#Vedum #burst #laughing