The temperature in politics can be high. Sometimes too high, believes KS, which is the municipalities’ interest organisation. With the slogan “Election promise 2023”, they are now asking mayors all over the country for help to ensure better public manners, both inside and outside the meeting rooms in the run-up to the election. – We actually need to remind each other that we have to behave, says Gunn Marit Helgesen, chairman of KS. She is also a county mayoral candidate for Telemark Høyre. Experiencing ruling techniques in the city council hall Lisa Velouria Skinnarland (23) represents the Green Party in Skien’s city council. She has experienced harassment and serious threats from outside for her political opinions, but it has also been very hot inside the city council hall. She remembers well what it was like to join the municipal council as a young politician in 2019. Many of the others in the room had been involved in politics for as long as she herself had been alive, and that was fine. – It felt quite scary, says Skinnarland. Lisa Velouria Skinnarland (MDG). Photo: Lorentz Berg / news She was unsure of tact and tone. How she should formulate herself correctly. What the others would think. She was soon to learn that the tone could be rather rough, says the city council politician. The 23-year-old could prepare in all possible ways. Hold elaborate presentations from the pulpit. Nevertheless, she experienced being sabered down with various domination techniques. Usually from older politicians. Comments that she was too young to understand what she was talking about, or rolling her eyes while on the podium, eventually appeared. This is often still the case. – Once I have been chosen, why should I need to prove anything more than others? asks Skinnarland. Municipal council and county council elections will be held in the autumn. KS encourages local politicians to behave towards each other. Here from the town hall in Skien. Photo: Nils Fridtjof Skumsvoll / news Calling for more respect Gunn Marit Helgesen believes that a strong reminder of what good old-fashioned folk customs entails is absolutely necessary. Both before and after the municipal council and county council elections in the autumn. – We have to say yes to a strongly disagreeing debate with a tough tone, but have respect for the individual and that we are discussing the issue, she says to news. Gunn Marit Helgesen is chairman of KS. She asks the municipal politicians to speak to each other with respect in the election campaign. Photo: Ken Markus Christensen / news She fears that the consequence of the opposite could be that young people refuse to stand for election. The association is currently carrying out an investigation into incitement, threats and disinformation among elected officials in municipalities and county councils. The survey is a follow-up from 2019 and will show the development since then. – This applies to all levels of society, but we can start with ourselves, says Helgesen. – Got a little roll of the eyes Mayor of Skien, Hedda Foss Five (Ap), welcomes the challenge from KS. – I was a young girl when I entered politics myself, and gained many experiences, she says. After Five took on the role of mayor, she tackled these types of challenges early on, she says. Including by conducting anonymous working environment surveys among elected officials. Mayor of Skien, Hedda Foss Five (Ap). Photo: MARTIN TORSVEIT / news – Many people probably think it was strange. There was a bit of rolling of the eyes at the time, she remembers. Five believes there must be room for everyone in politics. Not just the most stubborn. – This is something we have to work on all the time. It won’t go away, she emphasizes. Lisa Velouria Skinnarland believes that many young people refuse to enter politics if nothing is done about the conditions. She has also considered quitting herself. – It’s not as tempting to talk when you know you’re being met by domineering techniques. You forget why you stand for election, and lose the commitment you had. She hopes KS’s appeal can contribute to a change. – I think it can have an effect. It will probably take time, but I think it makes a difference, says the local politician. Hello! Do you have an opinion on the topic in this matter, or a tip for something we should look into in the run-up to the election? Please send me some words.
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KS wants politicians to speak to each other with respect in the election campaign – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
