Pizzabygda Stranda has had Center party mayors for the past 12 years. But now a blue wind is blowing. In several places on Sunnmøre, there may now be a battle between Høgre and Frp to become the largest party. – There are too many center party and labor party mayors around Møre and Romsdal today. I don’t think there will be that many after this election, said Erna Solberg (H) confidently, when she visited the pizza factory on Stranda. In recent months, the head teacher has been on an extensive election tour around the country. The goal is to secure more votes for Høgre. Solberg was able to speak to the employees at the pizza factory in Stranda. Photo: Remi Sagen / news FRP bastion The FRP has traditionally been strong in Møre and Romsdal. During the parliamentary election two years ago, they were the largest in party leader Sylvi Listhaug’s home county. – That Erna prioritizes Møre and Romsdal is natural, but I think the FRP will be by far the largest party in the county this time as well, says county leader of the FRP, Frank Sve. – Is Erna looking to take your voters? – Erna is not standing for election in Møre og Romsdal, so I don’t think she can do it. I think Frp will be bigger this time too, says Sve with a smile. County leader for the Progress Party in Møre and Romsdal, Frank Sve. Photo: Remi Sagen / news When asked if Solberg is in Møre and Romsdal to steal votes from the FRP, she replies: – We also do quite well in the opinion polls here, but it is clear that this is the county where the FRP does best We are most concerned that the sum of Høgre and Frp is such that we get a bourgeois government. From Grandiosa to mayoral candidate At the pizza factory on Stranda, there is someone who is extra happy about a visit from the party leader from Høgre. Einar Arve Nordang is currently logistics manager at Orkla Foods Norway’s branch in the village. But in the autumn he hopes to be able to start a new job, with a shiny chain around his neck. He is running as Høgre’s mayoral candidate in the municipality. – I think the experience with planning that I have built up over the course of 30 years can come in handy within municipal administration. Nordang believes that there may be a change from center party to right-wing mayors after the election. – We’ve had a good election campaign and a lot of support, but it’s great to have Erna Solberg visit us at the start. It gives extra inspiration, he says. Einar Arve Nordang (H) wants to hang up his white coat and take on the mayor’s chain next year. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Boosting local politics Solberg is not the only party leader traveling around to win over voters, despite the fact that this year’s elections are for municipalities and county councils. Lars Nehru Sand, political commentator at news, believes that being visited by national politicians has a twofold effect. Photo: Jon P Petrusson / news – Firstly, it helped to make the local politicians more interesting, by having national politicians come to meet them and create excitement. It often also results in positive publicity and press attention, says Sand. He says it is also important for the local politicians to be seen by the party leaders nationally. – In addition, there is the internal part, where the party gets a boost from being visited by the party leader. The fact that both mayoral candidates and others further down the list get to meet people from the party leadership shows that it is important to them and that they care. 102 days before the election: Solberg is threatened by political cannibals
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This is how Solberg wants to take a swipe at Frp
