Is the way open for Trond Giske’s comeback? It is a question that should never be answered with a clear yes or no. Over the years, Giske has built up so much opposition and so many enemies that you never quite know what will appear at the next turn. Something unexpected always happens that changes the game just before the finish line. On Thursday evening, it became clear that a humiliatingly large majority in the nomination committee removed Giske from the Storting list to Sør-Trøndelag Ap. Only the Giske-loyal leader in Trondheim Ap, Pål Sture Nilsen, wanted the controversial candidate in first place. With the composition of the committee, it was not surprising. Giske probably also did not believe that he would win with the nomination committee’s support. At least not all of it. The trick is the way it’s done. They have made a list that makes it difficult for team Giske. They have simply moved some crucial pieces. Taken to bed And it happened with Giske’s own method – the surprise strategy. The last times he has succeeded in seeking a position of power, it has come through a bench proposal in the meeting. In this way, debate or counter-forces have been avoided. Right into the nomination committee’s meeting on Thursday evening, the news came that Aps’ parliamentary representative Kirsti Leirtrø withdrew from the list. At the same time, she pointed at Giske, and urged him to step aside. It is a kind of echo of the message from Minister for Digitization Karianne Tung, who quit just before the last nomination meeting. Both left a clear farewell greeting to Giske. They both pointed to him as an important part of the problem, and left the impression that noise and chaos in Trøndelag is the reason for their resignation. Now Leirtrø’s calls are unlikely to make an impression on Giske. He has no plans to step aside and refers to the members’ wishes. But without Leirtrø on the list, Giske loses an important element: an undisputed woman from the districts that the whole party knows. Playing Giske’s game But with Leirtrø’s surprising exit, the room is also opened for a woman from Trondheim. When the majority in the nomination committee has put Trondheim politician and LO candidate Sara Shafigi in the safe second place, it strengthens Per Olav Skurdal Hopsø’s (from Melhus) chances as the top candidate. Hopsø is currently state secretary for Tonje Brenna, and should be the only one with sufficient political weight to match Giske as top of the list. But the cunning does not stop there. By proposing Røros mayor Isak Busch in third place, they break up what has been considered an important alliance between Røros and Giske. The majority in the nomination committee have simply created a watertight list. It is still not a given that the proposal will flow. It is bold to omit Giske entirely. Although it is not an exaggeration to say that he is controversial, he is also strongly desired by parts of the party. It may seem extra provocative towards members that he is deliberately kept away. Especially if you have a suspicion that this is being encouraged by “central circles in the party”, which has been on the rumor exchange in recent days. Whatever one thinks of Giske, it is impressive how he has built up Nidaro’s social democratic forum, which meets at the annual Tranmæl conference this weekend. You can say a lot about timing. In addition, Giske is without a doubt the biggest profile and politician Ap has in the county. Some would also say in the country. Is Trond Giske outmaneuvered now? It is also a question that should never be answered with a clear yes or no. An outstretched hand On Friday morning, acting minister and Labor veteran Tore O. Sandvik wrote that he wanted Hopsø in first place. But he said at the same time that Giske must get third place to rally the team. Some will probably read this as a dagger thrust at Giske, but it is probably just as much an outstretched hand. With a third place, Giske can achieve a comeback, but a little more quietly than if he had fought for a top place. The question is whether it holds – both for Giske himself or for his opponents. Because to the extent that the silk gloves were ever worn, they have now been replaced by boxing gloves. In the next few weeks, there will be an open battle in Trøndelag, both in the north and south. Published 13.09.2024, at 09.26
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Has Trond Giske fallen to his own devices? – Speech
