At the weekend, MDG gathers 200 delegates for a national meeting at Fornebu outside Oslo. Already tomorrow, the party will meet the press, ahead of what will be the biggest MDG event ever. The meeting is also a gathering of the party’s list leaders ahead of the local elections. In addition to clarifying whether a new Norwegian EU application should be submitted now or not, the Green Party will also adopt a new program of principles. It has been ten years since this last happened. And while a nachspiel at the Frp’s national meeting in Gardermoen in April has had repercussions, MDG is taking clear steps to prevent employees, delegates (and press people) from getting drunk. For the first time, the party is appointing “clearly marked sobriety guards” who will look after the national meeting. – There must be sobriety guards present for every 40th participant. Edruvakt is responsible for making sure that minors do not drink alcohol, that all participants are comfortable, and to expel heavily intoxicated people from events if necessary, it is stated in the national meeting papers. LEADER TRIO: Deputy leader Lan Marie Berg, party leader Arild Hermstad and deputy leader Ingrid Liland are gathering the troops for the MDG national meeting this weekend. Photo: Rodrigo Freitas / NTB “Hvit time” All parties have their own celebratory dinner during the national meetings. It is common for alcohol to be served with the food, but at MDG it is alcohol-free. There is also no occasion to go to the bar and buy a beer or a glass of wine for the national meeting dinner itself, says party secretary Torkil Vederhus. The party also has a practice of a “white hour” after the end of the meeting each day. In other words, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in the first hour after the debate is over. The purpose is to create a “pleasant and safe mingling arena also for those under 18”, the papers say. – We want everyone to feel safe. This is not only done for the sake of the young. We have grown a lot as a party and gained several new members, who will also be included. Then it is good to have clear driving rules, says Vederhus. – But isn’t there a danger of appearing too strict when you refuse adults to buy a beer in the bar? – There is a balance here, which we are discussing. And it is not the case that there is a general ban on alcohol at the national meeting, says Vederhus. Fyll Ogs Rødt and KrF have traditionally been restrictive when it comes to serving alcohol, and it made some headlines when, in 2013, KrF chose to open up servings to journalists at the press table. This year, Rødt allowed anyone who wished to buy alcoholic beverages themselves for the national meeting dinner. The same was the case with the Labor Party. You could even buy bongs there. KrF allowed the press, but not the delegates, to buy themselves. Torkil Vederhus believes there is reason to ask questions about the high alcohol consumption that sometimes occurs when the press and politicians socialize: – This varies, of course, but it is often the case that many people resort to alcohol to socialize. Sometimes there is almost an expectation that you will get drunk in the evening. MDG leader Arild Hermstad points out that many delegates are under 18 years of age. – For youth politicians who have their first national meeting, it is not a particularly good experience if they experience people drinking and visibly under the influence. – This is a discussion you lose anyway, against important arguments. We have taken a step, I think several others will follow. – But you’re not a teetotaler yourself, are you? – No, but this is a very important meeting where everyone should have the opportunity to participate. This is an important measure to create security for all delegates. He says that there will also be a party later in the evening, when MDG and MGP will go up into a higher unit during the national meeting party. DEPARTURE: Arild Hermstad took over as MDG leader after Une Bastholm last autumn. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Clappenekt The MDG has also tightened the rules for clapping and chanting during the political debate in the national assembly hall. This is also a measure to create a more generous environment and a more inclusive tone, according to the general secretary. “Undue influence on the delegates (cheering, booing, posters, signals, clapping, changing the digital background to promote a message, etc.) is prohibited,” the national meeting papers state. Vederhus emphasizes that there is applause after speeches, but that you should not clap after posts. – This is something we have introduced following input from our members, he says. The strict measures are based on experiences that have built up over time, both locally and nationally, according to Hermstad. – We have experienced examples where it has not felt right for several shop stewards in the party. We shall have as orderly a debate as possible. – But a ban on clapping, that sounds rather draconian? – We believe it can affect the voting outcome and be decisive for how someone votes in personal elections. – Is this something you personally support? – We do not have a super focus on all these rules. We do it because we think it works. National municipal poll May 2023 What would you vote for if there were municipal elections today?Party SupportChange29.3%HøyreH+2,322.1%ArbeiderpartietAP−1.78.8%SenterpartietSP−1.98.5%FremskrittspartietFRP+1.37.1%Socialist Liberal PartySV −0.35.0% The Green Green Party MDG−0.34.4%VenstreV+0.63.7%RedR−0.33.5%Christian People’s PartyKRF−0.21.6%Industrial and Business PartyINP−0.26 .0%OtherOther+0.7986 interviews conducted in the period 24.4.23–29.4.23. Margins of error from 1.3–3.5 pp. Source: Norstat EU campaign and new program Among the political matters to be decided at the national meeting is the question of whether Norway should send a new EU application now or not. There is also a proposal to postpone the whole matter and send it to a first vote among all members in the spring of 2024. At the national meeting, a majority in the national board favors new negotiations with the EU with a view to Norwegian EU membership, where the agreement must be approved by referendum. But a minority, which includes the party secretary, will not send a new application now. SAFE: MDG’s party secretary Torkil Vederhus. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB – We are positive about Europe and about the EEA agreement, but that does not mean that now is the right time to work for Norwegian EU membership. It will not solve any problems here and now. At the same time, we believe that Norway should to a greater extent be a leading country for the EU, rather than lagging behind in matters of climate or consumer power, says Vederhus. Party leader Hermstad is on the majority’s side. – In the long term and in principle, I believe that the right thing for Norway is to apply for EU membership. But I don’t have a strong opinion on whether it’s important right now. It also depends on a possible negotiation result. – Why? – Almost all the major issues that affect our lives are of an international nature. There are problems that transcend national borders. Standing in a community and cooperation with our neighboring countries is right in principle. Hermstad sees the dissent more as an expression of the status quo, while the majority wants to take a step further.
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Alkonect and sobriety guards – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
