The political situation in Stavanger has resolved after Tormod Losnedal (H) took over from former mayor Sissel Knutsen Hegdal. But now there is unrest in the neighboring town of Sandnes with its 85,000 inhabitants. It is the Conservative Party and the FRP that govern the municipality. But now they do not have a majority as Sissel Vikse Falch resigned from the Conservative Party. The situation means that the parties are now considering new alliances and cooperation in order to secure a stable majority before the budget decision in December. Briefly: – The FRP has said no to taking in the KrF as part of the majority, even though the Conservative Party wants it. The FRP has instead pointed to the INP, which is not so palatable for the Conservative Party, says political editor Harald Birkevold in Stavanger Aftenblad. Harald Birkevold is political editor at Stavanger Aftenblad. He says the attempts to find a new majority are controversial. Photo: Anders Minge / STAVANGER AFTENBLAD Can be decided tonight Tonight at nine o’clock the Høyre’s municipal council group will meet. According to Sandnesposten, Høyre’s group will clarify whether they will break with the FRP or not. – I am becoming more and more convinced that today’s majority in Sandnes will not survive very long, says political editor Birkevold. He is unsure what the outcome will be during the meeting tonight, but he believes the meeting will be heated. – This is an awkward situation for the Conservative Party, he says. Group leader Kine Myhre in Sandnes Høyre confirms to news that they will have a meeting tonight where they will discuss the political situation in the municipality. – It is natural that we discuss it in the group. When it comes out in the media and the condition is as it is, then we have to talk about it, she says. Myhre will not say anything about what she thinks will happen at the meeting. Expects that the collaboration will continue Deputy Mayor Kristoffer Birkedal (Frp) thinks things are boiling in the Conservative Party now. He says it is a shame that the agreement signed by the FRP and the Conservative Party when they came to power last year is now becoming an issue. – We expect that when you sign an agreement, it is binding. I and the party find it difficult. He says the FRP is sticking to the agreement to continue the collaboration. Kristoffer Birkedal (Frp) is deputy mayor in Sandnes. Photo: Øystein Otterdal / news Points to internal disagreements – This is a very special situation, says Arne Buchholdt Espedal, group leader for Sandnes Ap. He believes it is a mixture of personal chemistry and a lack of agreement that means the parties have not found out which direction they should take. – I have the impression that it has something to do with the structure of the work and how they work internally. The Labor Party itself is open to becoming part of the governing majority. Either by collaborating with the Conservative Party or FRP, or with support from smaller parties such as KrF, INP, Center Party and Venstre. Arne Buchholdt Espedal (Ap) and Pål Morten Borgli (Frp). Photo: ØYSTEIN OTTERDAL / news – The situation we are seeing now does not surprise me at all, says group leader in Venstre, Julian Osorio. – It may appear that they have some problems when it comes to communication and cooperation. We have seen it through their handling of cases in that things have gone back and forth, he says. The mayor is relaxed Kenny Rettore (H) is the mayor of Sandnes. He says he has a relaxed attitude to the situation. – I am fully focused on being a mayor for everyone and that we in the political leadership focus on ensuring that there is a stable governing majority. The citizens deserve that and what I focus on, says Rettore. Pål Morten Borgli (Frp) and mayor of Sandnes, Kenny Rettore (H). Photo: Øystein Otterdal/news Municipal board representative for Sandnes Frp, Pål Morten Borgli, says the Conservative Party must solve the situation in a good way. – We don’t spend energy on the problems they have. But we are two parties that agree on a lot politically and do not see that there is anything that should indicate a break here, says Borgli. Published 29/10/2024, at 15.47
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Could be a political breach in Sandnes – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
