– We have probably both discovered and stated that we look quite differently at many of the things this is about. But we agree that we must continue the dialogue, says Kristiansand mayor Jan Oddvar Skisland (Labor). He has just met with Minister of Local Government and District Sigbjørn Gjelsvik, and emphasizes that the conversation has been good and open. The dispute is about the government’s opening for a municipal dissolution in Kristiansand. The mayor emphasizes that in the meeting they have not given any signals that they will open to arrange a referendum in Søgne and Songdalen. – We have spent four and a half years building a new house, and we do not want to tear it down again. We do not want to contribute to this process continuing. No solution Minister of Local Government Gjelsvik says that he has had a good and frank meeting with the Kristiansand politicians. – I look forward to further dialogue. The Minister emphasizes that the government still insists on a referendum as the best alternative. CLOSE PROGRAM: The Minister of Local Government landed in Kjevik this morning. He will meet local actors and businesses in Kristiansand and Søgne later Monday. Photo: Lars Nehru Sand / news When asked why the Center Party’s local team in Kristiansand was not informed in advance of the government’s decision, he replied as follows: – We are keen to have a good dialogue with everyone involved, and I definitely think it is a learning point on our part. on how to ensure good dialogue in advance of decisions that are made. But what is important now is to focus on how we can maintain a good dialogue and a good process further. – The match is not over Before today’s meeting, Mayor Skisland was clear in his speech: – I must be clear that this match is not over. Both the city council and a unanimous Labor Party stand their ground, Skisland told news. The mayor said that he would give a clear message that Kristiansand does not agree to be overruled. – No one should be in doubt about how dramatic this is for Kristiansand and Sørlandet, Skisland emphasizes. DOES NOT WORK: Mayor Jan Oddvar Skisland (Labor Party) says Kristiansand politicians are in a stressful situation. Photo: Kari Jeppestøl Arntzen / news – Concerned about dialogue It was a word button Sigbjørn Gjelsvik (Sp) who landed at Kristiansand airport Kjevik on Monday morning: – I have had good conversations with the mayor on the phone and look forward to us sitting down together and discussed the process further. – Skisland says he can not accept anything other than a reversal. What do you say to that? – Now we will have a meeting, and then we will have a discussion and a dialogue about how we can have the process further, Gjelsvik concluded before he went into the meeting with Skisland. CLOSE PROGRAM: The Minister of Local Government will meet local actors and businesses in Kristiansand and Søgne later Monday. Photo: SIV KRISTIN SÆLLMANN / news The Government’s decision on a referendum in Søgne and Songdalen has set minds on fire in Kristiansand Labor Party. They fear for the fate of the merged municipality and believe the government’s handling is failing. – In Norway, we have a well-structured democracy, where the municipal councils decide in the municipalities. To deviate from that principle is very special, says Skisland. Prime Minister’s visit On Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will also come to Kristiansand to meet the leadership of Kristiansand and the Agder Labor Party. Ahead of the meeting, the mayor’s expectations are clear. – It is to convey that this has created an incredible amount of frustration with us. We must have a round on how this could happen, says Skisland. ON THE WAY: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor Party) arrives in Kristiansand on Monday afternoon. Photo: Mathias Moene Rød / news Political editor of Fædrelandsvennen, Vidar Udjus thinks it will be difficult for Støre to find a solution. – Now it is even more important for him to find a solution, and then it has become even more difficult to find a solution that is acceptable to both the Labor Party and the Socialist People’s Party, which has pushed this case forward, says Udjus. Run over by his own government It has been two weeks since the government set fire to a debate that had actually been put to death. On 7 June, the government opened up for the inhabitants of the former Søgne and Songdalen municipalities to vote on a secession from Kristiansand. It has created strong reactions. Kristiansand mayor Jan Oddvar Skisland was aware that the local team in Kristiansand feels overwhelmed by “their own” government. On Sunday, it was announced that Bjørn Egeli is resigning as the Labor Party’s new mayoral candidate in Kristiansand. – It is problematic to be a local mayoral candidate in a party where I feel that in this case we do not have the party leader’s support nationally, he writes in a press release. The mayors of other of the country’s major cities also reacted, calling the situation an unacceptable overthrow of local democracy. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news Luftfoto The Minister of Local Government is on his Sunday, news asked Minister of Local Government Gjelsvik about the message before Monday’s meetings in Kristiansand. – When we now investigate a division of Kristiansand, the inhabitants must be heard. And it must happen in the best possible way. Our clear view is that a referendum is what can give the highest support and the greatest legitimacy to the result. POPULATION: Minister Gjelsvik wants new referendums in Søgne and Songdalen, which are today districts in Kristiansand. Photo: Kristoffer Steffensen Lenes / news – I also hope for dialogue, it was bad with that in advance of this. But if you want to have a dialogue, they must have something to offer, says Skisland.
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