– I am yours, if you want me. This is how Marian Hussein ended her appeal to SV’s national meeting. And they wanted to. There was a standing ovation for several minutes when Hussein was elected as the party’s new deputy leader. She received 114 votes, against 101 for competitor Lars Haltbrekken. The victory came as a bit of a surprise, as Haltbrekken was initially considered a slight favourite. – I have to be honest and say, I did not expect this. It’s overwhelming. It is an enormous trust that I look forward to managing on behalf of the community, says the newly appointed deputy chairman of news. Both candidates took to the podium to ask the parties for their votes. Hussein highlighted his personal experience as an employee in the healthcare system, and his minority background. – It was not natural for me to apply for positions. In politics, there are not many people who look like me, who have lived a life like me. Photo: Lars Nehru Sand / news Willing to inspire young multicultural people The 36-year-old is profiled in health policy. She has a background as a foster carer and sits on the health and care committee at the Storting. She is also seen as a strength for diversity in the party’s leadership. Hussein is Norway’s first parliamentary representative with an African background, and the first to wear a hijab. – What do you think it means for young people with a multicultural background to see someone like them at the top of Norwegian politics? – I think it will motivate more people to participate in our democracy, and to remember that Norway is a functioning democracy and that we all have to participate. Both by election but also by organizing ourselves. I hope that I get more of them on the team, says Hussein. The candidates hug after the election. Photo: Lars Nehru Sand / news Klimaerfaring In his speech to the national meeting, Haltbrekken highlighted his many years of commitment to climate and the environment. – There are no small things we will have to face in the coming years. We need renewable energy to stop the climate crisis, we must take care of nature and the rights of the Sami people. We cannot violate human rights, never, said Haltbrekken. The 52-year-old has been a leader in both Nature and Youth and the Nature Conservation Association, and sits on the Storting’s energy and environment committee. He is considered a deputy leader who could have been a strong voice for climate and the environment at the top of the party. No one in the newly elected leadership trio is known to have climate policy as a matter of their heart. Bergstø elected as leader Earlier in the evening, Kirsti Bergstø was announced as the new party leader. She was elected by acclamation, that is, applause from the hall. – It feels very big. It is a powerful experience, and I am incredibly happy for the trust I have received from the national meeting. The possibility of change also lies in trust. I will do everything I can to ensure the change that people need in their lives now, says Bergstø to news. Flowers for the new party leader. Photo: Lars Nehru Sand / news Bergstø is not worried about a lack of expert climate expertise in the management group. SV has stepped into the breach for a green and fair transition, she believes. And they must continue with that, is the promise. – This is work we have been doing over time, and it is the sum of the strength in the team that will drive that work forward. It is then important to both unite the environmental movement and the trade union movement, and show a clear direction for tomorrow’s industry, on the shoulders of today’s industrial workers. Newly elected chairman and deputy chairman. Photo: Lars Nehru Sand / news The local election is the first task the new leader will tackle. – In the morning, the real work starts to ensure red and green majorities throughout Norway in the autumn. But tonight, we’re just going to celebrate, she says. The 41-year-old takes over the leadership role from Audun Lysbakken, who has led SV for eleven years. Bergstø is from Nesseby in Eastern Finnmark, and is currently a parliamentary representative for Akershus. She is profiled in social policy, and is a trained child welfare educator who has worked in crisis centers and in Nav. Bergstø was the only candidate. In January, it became clear that Kari Elisabeth Kaski, the most likely challenger, would not run. Torgeir Knag Fylkesnes was re-elected as the second deputy leader. Bergstø accepts the tribute from the audience. Photo: Alf Simensen / NTB
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Kirsti Bergstø is SV’s new party leader – Marian Hussein became deputy leader – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
