– I think the opposition has been fighting to paint that budget black, both before it was presented and after, says Støre. On Monday, the government presented the state budget for next year, and immediately there was a flurry of unusually harsh criticism. Words such as make-up, bluff and number trickery have been used about both the budget and the leaks that trickled out in advance. – The autumn’s budget results have meant that we have to start fact-checking the prime minister, said Conservative Party leader Erna Solberg in the Storting yesterday. FRP leader Sylvi Listhaug accused him of “misleading marketing”. In front of news, the head of government goes hard with the criticism. – But now is the time to discuss your options, he says. Hitting back On Thursday, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) went north to Bodø and Svolvær to start the long election campaign against next year’s general election. He wants to talk more about all the investments – and hit back at the opposition. – We have delivered a responsible budget that solves the most important tasks we have to answer. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) landed in Svolvær in Nordland earlier today. Photo: Jorunn Hatling / news – Allegations of lies, manipulation of numbers and bluff, how would you characterize that type of criticism? – I refute it in area after area, and I think it is a very serious term to use the word lie. Then they get to come up with what they think, says Støre. – No politician in their right mind presents figures other than what is forthcoming and can be fact-checked there, he states. – Are you worried about how people have perceived this discussion? – But I think people have a little more distance from these very momentary reactions. And they have to go back and look at their own lives. What’s going on there? Do they have a job? Will kindergarten be cheaper, will the students get a better settlement? Massive criticism The list of critical actions from the opposition and interest organizations is long. Here are some of the most important issues: Nature conservation: The government had a budget leak of 100 million, but at the same time has cut 400 million on another item. A serious bluff, says SV’s Lars Haltbrekken. Police: Announced large-scale investment of NOK 2.8 billion for gang crime and the police. Will barely cover wage and price growth, according to the Norwegian Police Union. Hospitals: The government announced billion investment, but critics believe wage and price growth is eating up a lot. The specialist health service is getting a real cut. Tricking with numbers, says Frp. Climate: Only halfway to the climate target in 2030, according to own calculations. The municipal economy: On Friday, five days after the budget was presented, the municipal minister convenes a crisis meeting. KS has estimated a “hole” of 10 billion this year alone. SV despairs: Before the negotiations with SV, the government has chosen not to adjust the price of child benefit, cut SV funding from the revised budget for nature conservation and cut dental health for young people. Cancellation of student debt in district municipalities: The measure will not come until 2026. Creative number trickery, the Høyre believes. The tax cuts: The Finance Minister talked about the sum of the government’s actions over four years, instead of talking about the change from this year to next year. Støre himself sends the ball back to the opposition: – When we come on day three after the budget, we don’t have a discussion about direction and priorities, but whether there was an inaccuracy in a presentation or did you hear something else? Then I think the opposition really shows a poverty of ideas. And little faith in their own options. He states that the budget is a “significant investment in the hospital’s activity”, and that much of the police money will “obviously” go to fighting the gangs, which the money was sold as. This is what the opposition Høyre leader Erna Solberg thinks is important that the parties are honest with each other and the voters, and that they can discuss issues on equal terms. – We live in a time with a lot of disinformation in social media and declining trust in authorities. Then I think it must be a minimum requirement for both the Prime Minister and me that we do not use figures and facts in a way that leaves a completely incorrect impression, says Solberg. – It must be good to point that out, and it seems that we have hit a nerve since Jonas gets so angry, she adds. Sylvi Listhaug, leader of the Progress Party, says they generally disagree with the government’s priorities in the budget. – The FRP has always been concerned that this budget proposal is taking the country in the wrong direction as it hardly provides for more freedom through tax breaks for ordinary people and businesses, does not increase security by strengthening the police enough and that it is a weak investment in providing the elderly a dignified old age. Interest rate cuts not threatening On Thursday, Statistics Norway announced that price inflation in this country has fallen to 3 per cent from a much higher level. It is still well above Norges Bank’s target, which is a price increase of close to 2 per cent over time. Støre is now spending 460 oil billion to make the budget go up, and almost 1 in 4 budget kroner now comes from the oil fund. Economists and the opposition fear that spending is too loose, and that it will keep price inflation up and postpone announced interest rate cuts. Støre will not participate in that. – You are absolutely sure that with this budget you have not postponed an interest rate cut for people who are waiting for it? – Yes, with all the knowledge we have, and the balances we have made, the priorities we have made, and the way we have chosen a responsible budget, I am confident of that. – Why aren’t you afraid that you have spent too much money and given too much gas? – After all, we have the overview from our professionals about what is the correct use of money in the Norwegian economy to contribute to the correct development of falling price increases, a basis for interest rate cuts and that the rule of action has been followed. We do. Published 10/10/2024, at 19.01
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Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre responds to criticism of the state budget – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
