Eira Garrido (26) from SV is the new deputy mayor in Bergen together with mayor Linn Engø – news Vestland

On Thursday morning, mayor Linn Kristin Engø (29) showed the new deputy mayor Eira Garrido (26) around the town hall in Bergen. The SV politician is completely new to his role. Just a short week ago, she had no idea that she would immediately get a new job. Bergensaren is relatively new to politics. She stood for election for the first time in 2019. She has previously been involved in student politics and the women’s movement. In just one week, her life has been turned upside down. – I am the first with dark skin to sit as deputy mayor in Bergen. We need more people with a cross-cultural background to be in leadership positions, she says. What happened? Garrido emphasizes both that she is a woman and that she is multicultural as important perspectives. Her father comes from Montevideo in Uruguay, while her mother is from Bergen. Photo: Even Norheim Johansen / news Two percent chance This autumn there has been occasional chaos in politics in Bergen. Due to a child welfare scandal, the city council had to resign. This led, among other things, to Rune Bakervik (Ap), who until October was mayor, getting a new job as city council leader. Then the mayor’s chair was empty. It was taken over by 29-year-old Linn Kristin Engø (Ap). And thus it was her old job that was vacant: deputy mayor in Norway’s second largest city. It was still not a given that Garrido would get the job. This is how Eira (26) reacted when she was asked about the job. The city council in Bergen has 67 representatives. SV has six of them, which is far from a majority. On Friday, she learned that SV would propose her as a candidate. When she notified her employer, she estimated that there was around a 2 percent chance that she would be selected. Then the Labor Party decided that she was the best and most unifying candidate. At the same time, Høgre decided not to promote a candidate. Then she suddenly had the plural she needed. – I don’t think it has dawned on me. On Wednesday evening, she got the votes for Ap, MDG, SV, Raudt, KrF and Venstre, and four votes from SP, and had officially become the new deputy mayor. – It’s very fun. I don’t think it has actually occurred to me, says Garrido. The boss, who had been notified that there was only a slight chance that she would have to change jobs at short notice, also received a surprising message. – Fortunately, he understood that there are others who can do my job and that leave can be granted at short notice, says Garrido, who has worked with film and TV production until now. There are many people to get to know. Here Garrido greets town hall manager Vidar Fyllingsnes. Photo: Maria Gunnarsdotter Svedal 81 men – 5 women Recently, the 26-year-old has been part of the selection for finance, culture and industry in the city council. She herself is obsessed with the fact that she is a member of a party that is feminist and anti-racist. She highlights both the fact that she is a woman and that she has a multicultural background as important. – I think it is good for Bergen to have two women as mayors. In total, there have been 81 men and 5 women in the past, says Garrido. “Generous, wise and sensible” Mayor Linn Kristin Engø believes that young people in politics should have a humble approach, but emphasizes that age is not central. – Eira was not chosen by the city council because of her age, but because she is a generous, wise and sensible woman. First and foremost, I am here to take care of the citizens of Bergen and those who have voted for us. Garrido, for her part, believes she has a lot to contribute to politics. – We are a diverse city, and it is important that the city council represents the population. I think I have good contributions with the perspective I bring with me. Now she is proposing to anyone who wants to have a chat with the new deputy mayor – My schedule is currently completely empty, so all you have to do is get in touch! Photo: Leif Rune Løland / news



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