– Precisely because it is so important, and precisely because a majority of Bergens voted for parties that do not want a rematch, the Labor Party reached out a hand to try to save it. Repeatedly. And we went further than usual. That’s what Rune Bakervik said from the lectern in Old Town Hall in Bergen. On Wednesday, he and the Ap city council in Bergen resigned. They will remain in place as a business ministry until a new city council takes over power in Bergen. Høyre, Frp and Sp are now negotiating about city council power. They have a majority with the support of Bergenslisten, INP and the Pensioners’ Party. After the election, Bergen was thrown into political chaos. Much because of the Bybanen to Åsane. In his farewell speech, Bakervik gave an insight into what has happened behind the scenes. READY TO TAKE OVER: The right-wing candidate for Bergen city council, Christine Meyer, will sit in the chief’s chair when the agreement is signed. Photo: Linnea Skare Oskarsen / news – Avoid becoming the main source of News again The light rail to Åsane is the most heated issue in Bergen politics, and has been for many years. But before the municipal and county council elections, the two top candidates from Ap and Høye agreed – outwardly: There would be no rematch over the historic light rail decision: The light rail to Åsane was to run alongside Bryggen in Bergen. Shortly after the election, there was a complete U-turn from Christine Meyer and the Conservative Party when they entered into negotiations with parties that wanted a rematch for the light rail. Conservative candidate for city council leader Christine Meyer guarantees that the Bybane decision to Åsane will remain in peace. Nevertheless, Bakervik still kept the door open for Christine Meyer and the Conservative Party, should they change their mind again, says Bakervik to the city council. – There was, and there is a way and a way to build it with the approved route, and I hope that we as a city will be able to make it happen. He comes with a clear message to those who take over. – I want to end with a challenge to those who will now take over. Should our city develop in a good direction and be a progressive city where we deliver good services to the people of Bergen. If we are to avoid Bergen becoming a sort of provincial town that everyone laughs at, the main source of Nytt på nytts broadcasts from inner Eastland, then we have to dare to see the long lines, says Bakervik. Conservative city council leader candidate Meyer does not want to answer how far Bakervik thought Ap went to “save Bybanen”: – Today is the day to thank Rune Bakervik for his efforts as city council leader in Bergen. After eight years with the Labor Party, voters have voted for a change and I can’t wait to get started, she writes in an SMS. BREAKED PROMISE: Christine Meyer (H) guaranteed in the election campaign that there would not be a rematch for the light rail route. She broke that promise. Photo: news Political chaos Høyre emerged victorious from election night as by far the largest party in Bergen. But small margins between the left and right wing, and the saga of the Bybanen, created headaches for the politicians. Then four weeks of political chaos, countless conversations and broken negotiations awaited. A week and a half ago, however, the Conservative Party reached an agreement. Høyre, Frp, Sp, Bergenslisten, INP and the Pensioners’ Party ended up signing a cooperation agreement in Bergen. With support from the majority, Høyre’s city council leader candidate Christine Meyer has now entered into negotiations for city council power with Sp and Frp. On the same Friday, incumbent city councilor Rune Bakervik (Ap) announced that he would resign.
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Rune Bakervik (Ap) resigns as city council leader in Bergen – news Vestland
