Nathalie Olsen (20) is historic. Last winter, she was asked to run for the first ever Red list in Sokndal in the south of Rogaland. – At first I thought this was exciting. This was completely new to me. But then I thought “yes, yes, why not”. Then I was told that I was top of the list for Red. It was both exciting and strange, says Olsen. She goes to secondary school at Dalane upper secondary school in Egersund. Olsen had no doubts about which party was right for her. It had to be Red. – It was the party I most recognized myself in, and I mostly agree with Rødt’s positions. Will repeat electoral success Rødt made a very good parliamentary election almost two years ago, and won a record number of nine parliamentary representatives. Now the party wants to continue its success. Mímir Kristjánsson, was one of nine Rødt candidates who could cheer for a place in the Storting after the election almost two years ago. Photo: Øystein Otterdal / news Sokndal in Rogaland is far from the only new municipality where Rødt presents election lists this autumn. Red has managed to get a historically large number of electoral lists. In 171 municipalities, voters have the opportunity to vote for Rødt’s candidates. There are 30 more municipalities than at the municipal elections four years ago. In the traditionally blue county of Rogaland, where the Conservative Party and the Progressive Party are major parties, Red increases from nine to 16 electoral lists. – We have had crazy growth in Rogaland over time. This is where we have the biggest increase in electoral lists, asserts Mímir Kristjánsson, parliamentary representative for Rødt from Rogaland. He admits that it has been a big task to find candidates who will run for Rødt in the municipal elections. – It’s a bit of word of mouth, talking to friends and acquaintances to ask for tips on who might want to be on our list. So it has been a job to get so many electoral lists in place, admits Kristjánsson. Red is in a period of tailwind. Here from the party’s national meeting in Stavanger this spring. Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news Believe in Mímir effect Political commentator Tone Sofie Aglen in news believes that Rødt’s position in Rogaland is special and that this can be linked to one person. – This is a bit atypical for Rogaland. But this could come from a Mimir effect. He has been a very visible person, not only locally, but nationally, Aglen explains. Political commentator Tone Sofie Aglen in news. Photo: news At the same time, she issues a warning to Rødt, who overnight may get many inexperienced representatives in the municipal councils after the election. – Growing parties often attract people from different backgrounds. They can quickly get what we call growing pains. They get a number of inexperienced politicians who can say things that cross the party line, says Aglen. But the man behind the Mímir effect is not afraid of many new Rødt representatives. – I think it is only an advantage for Norwegian politics that slightly inexperienced people come in. We see how it goes when the experienced manage, counters Kristjánsson. Gaining experience One of the inexperienced list tops who can become a municipal council representative from the autumn is Nathalie Olsen in Sokndal. – I take this in stride. I have many people around me who take care of me and give me support. Olsen is standing for election in Sokndal, where Jonas Andersen Sayed (KrF) became the youngest Norwegian mayor in history as a 21-year-old at the last election. Now the 20-year-old from Rødt can beat the record. – That’s not the goal, but how much fun it would have been! I am betting that with time, good training and a lot of experience, it might become a reality, hopes Nathalie Olsen.
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Nathalie Olsen (20) is historic – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
