Marianne Rossevatn received a lot of media attention when it became known that she was running as a mayoral candidate, aged just 19. She is the Center Party’s top candidate in Hægebostad in Agder. But the publication also led to many negative comments, among other things in social media. – There was a lot to do with the fact that I was too immature, did not have enough education, experience and was not suitable as mayor, she says. She herself has chosen to defy the negative comments. But she understands that many young people, especially women, are reluctant to enter politics. – It shouldn’t be like that. It is a democratic problem when important groups in the population are not represented. There was a lot of attention at the Center Party’s national meeting when it was announced that Marianne Rossevatn will be a mayoral candidate at only 19 years old. But she also received many negative reactions, not least in social media. Photo: Bjarte Johannesen / news Gives two reasons for no news has contacted all the municipalities in Agder and asked how it has been to get people to stand for election. The feedback from a clear majority is that it has been far more challenging to find enough people for the lists than before. It is especially young people, and especially young women, who say no. Friday is the deadline for submitting lists for the election this autumn. – It has been hard. In short, says Farsund mayor Arnt Abrahamsen (Ap). He says the problem has increased with every single election. This applies to all lists, and young people are the most difficult to get on board. – Young people have to expect to get a lot of crap thrown at them for their political positions, but also because of completely different things. Women in particular fear the turbidity that can come up via social media, he says. – All the parties in my municipality have had a tougher job than ever before, says the mayor of Vegårshei, Kjetil Torp (KrF). But the situation in Agder is far from unique. news reported this week that Alstahaug Høgre in Nordland only has one woman on its list of 14 people. Both Høgre and the Labor Party say that it has been extra difficult to get people to register in many places this year. Two main reasons are repeated: Risk of being exposed to incitement in social media Unfavorable meeting times Arnt Abrahamsen is the mayor of Farsund (Ap). He has many years behind him in politics, and says it has been extra difficult to get people to stand on the list this year. Photo: Kjetil Samuelsen / news – Stupid and inexperienced Ida Hirst (22) has agreed to run as a youth candidate on the Labor Party’s list in Kristiansand. – You are stupid, inexperienced and do not know what you are talking about, and should not make a statement regardless of the matter. She lists things she has read and heard people say and write about herself and other politicians. Now she is in 5th place on Kristiansand Arbeiderparti’s electoral list. But the 19-year-old had to go several rounds with herself before she finally said yes. – It was a difficult decision to make. But someone has to dare and someone has to vote. If young people don’t act well, young voices won’t be heard, she says. – Why were you in doubt as to whether you wanted to stand? – If you first say yes, you must dare to stand in the debate, think, write reader posts and not limit yourself from writing and thinking things. It’s easier to pretend to let go of anger, she says. She believes that society has a big problem if large groups do not stand on electoral lists. – It is a big democratic problem. We need different people to stand for election. That they sit on municipal councils and county councils across the country. If only one group submits, it is problematic, she says. Ida Hirst (22) is standing for election in the autumn. But for a long time she doubted whether she would. Photo: Kjetil Samuelsen / news – Being spat on in the streets The leadership of the two largest parties in the country, the Norwegian Liberal Party and the Labor Party, confirms that the work with electoral lists around the country has been demanding in many places this year. Secretary General of Høgre, Tom Erlend Skaug, says the party is experiencing that many people stop running for election because they fear being exposed to incitement and threats. – There are examples of local politicians being spat on in the street, receiving comments on age, appearance, gender, and in the worst case outright death threats. He believes that it is understandable that many people cannot take it anymore, or do not want to put themselves through this. Party secretary Kjersti Stenseng in the Labor Party says the development worries the party. – It worries me that they experience incitement and so much negative pressure that they say no to stand for election. It is a democratic problem if the debate climate is so harsh that people cannot participate. She emphasizes that the party worked systematically over many years to get more women into positions. She also says that they have good preparedness so that their elected representatives will not be alone when they experience violence. Party secretary Kjersti Stenseng in the Labor Party says it worries her that many young women do not want to stand on election lists. Photo: Terje Pedersen Backed up by her friend Despite the negative experiences, Marianne Rossevatn does not want to advise young people to stop getting involved politically. – We who are young now are, despite everything, used to dealing with incitement and hatred online. And we are good at standing up for each other. She believes that one of the keys to preventing this is standing together, regardless of party. She even received support from a friend in AUF when she received criticism for running as a young mayoral candidate. – She went straight to work and wrote a post about how this is not okay. The young mayoral candidate has clear advice for young people who want to be involved in politics: – Take the chance, stick with it, and support comes from those you least expect it from. What do you think is the solution to getting more people to want to vote on electoral rolls? Hello! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue
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Incitement prevents young women from running for election this autumn – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
