Stockbroker Jan Petter Sissener, who is one of Norway’s richest, believes that the wealthy in the country have become a pariah caste. Audun Lysbakken, leader of SV, is fed up with the upper class’ “taxation”. Sylvi Listhaug, leader of the FRP, has compassion for the poor, but at the same time believes that the rich have faced an unnecessary amount of criticism. In Politisk kvarter, the kick-off for this year’s NHO conference took place, and there the debate was going strong. Sylvi Listhaug, Jan Petter Sissener and Audun Lysbakken after Politisk Kvarter. Photo: Astrid Randen / NRKSylvi Listhaug, Jan Petter Sissener and Audun Lysbakken after Politisk Kvarter. Photo: Astrid Randen / news 1361 billion in surplus – It is scandalous that the rich have influenced the social debate recently, while at the same time the food queues are growing to record sizes. It has created an incorrect picture of the situation Norway is now in, said Audun Lysbakken on Thursday morning. Jan Petter Sissener, on the other hand, replied that the problem lies with the politicians: – I think this is sad to hear. The fact that the poor have less to worry about has nothing to do with the rich, but a lack of will to create change on the part of the politicians. He was surprised that the government does not want to use more of the surplus from the oil fund to improve the situation for those who have the least. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visits the Sleipner-A platform in 2022. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visits the Sleipner-A platform in 2022. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Lysbakken, for his part, believed that it is a unsustainable use of the money. Norway has never earned more from selling oil and gas than last year. Up until November, the industry had sold 1,731 billion abroad, figures from Statistics Norway show. The industry taxes 78 per cent, in addition to the state receiving dividends as the main owner of Equinor. Last year, the state expected to bring in at least NOK 1,361 billion from the industry. – These revenues are temporary and will secure Norway’s economy in the future. If we spend this money now, we will have a blast in the future. What we need is more redistributive politics, said Lysbakken. SV leader Audun Lysbakken believes that more redistribution is what is needed to reduce the differences in Norway. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB – A pariah caste Sissener was determined throughout the debate that the rich have had their fair share of trouble recently: – We have had a LO leader who has been clear that now the rich must be taken. I find that very sad. The rich create jobs and provide high tax revenues, but are seen as pariah caste and almost bullied. The stockbroker also believed that political decisions have made it difficult for companies to start up in Norway. What the rich need, Sissener believed, are predictable framework conditions. One who agreed with that was Sylvi Listhaug. She describes the policies of the Labor Party and the Center Party as “hostile to business”. – The rich will manage regardless – whether they live in Norway or travel to Switzerland. Those that will suffer, if there are fewer investments in Norway, it is ordinary working people who will lose their jobs, which the rich help to create. Thinks it’s not good enough She thinks it’s a shame that people with a lot of money move to Switzerland, but clarifies that Norway is a free country and that you should be allowed to do what you want. Listhaug also adds that she believes there has been a lack of respect for value creators recently. – I think the left has referred to them in a very negative way. It is very special, said the Frp leader. Sylvi Listhaug is clear that the government is not doing enough for the poor. Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein / news She also made a point that the differences have increased at the same time that Audun Lysbakken has a hand on the political wheel. – We are doing everything in our power to ensure more redistribution in society, replied the SV leader. – But that’s not good enough, Listhaug retorted.
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