Strong reactions to the city council’s budget proposal 2025 – Greater Oslo

The city council politicians were met by protesters when they were about to enter the city hall on Wednesday 25 September. They protested against announced cuts in the Oslo budget for next year. Earlier on Wednesday, a number of actors and cultural workers had turned up to protest against 40 million in cuts to Oslo Nye Teater. Many had turned up to protest against cuts in Oslo Nye teater. Photo: Anna Rut Tørressen / news Finance Council Hallstein Bjercke started the presentation of the budget by criticizing both the previous city council and the current government. Then he defended presenting a budget with cuts in all sectors. – We have to adapt Oslo for a new political reality, he says. At the same time, the city council chooses to cut the property tax for housing by NOK 80 million. However, the property tax for business is not cut. The NHO is disappointed. – This tax goes beyond jobs and value creation in Oslo, says Mariette C. Bøe, senior advisor at NHO Viken Oslo. – A choice The opposition believes Bjercke is disclaiming responsibility. – The right-wing city council in Oslo puts the blame on everyone else, but the problem is not that they have to cut, but that they want to cut, says SV’s Sunniva Holmås Eidsvoll. The red-green parties point to the city council’s decision to cut the property tax for housing. In total, Oslo will receive 155 million less next year. They also cut taxes in the previous budget. Without these cuts, the municipality would have saved big cuts, they believe. – Instead of the cuts in property tax, the welfare cuts for 2025 could have been removed with the stroke of a pen, says MDG’s Sirin Stav. Sirin Stav (MDG) reacts to the fact that more is not being allocated to public transport or culture. Photo: Nadir Alam / news – No cut budget Bjercke believes they have not presented any cut budget. Even if there are cuts. Among other things, to Oslo Nye Teater. They lose 40 million of their subsidy. That does not prevent Bjercke from saying: – We are betting on performing arts. Among other things, he pointed out that they are giving 15 million to Kloden theatre. Assuming that the state contributes an equal amount. Finance councilor Hallstein Bjercke (V) believes he is presenting a responsible budget. Photo: Hallgeir Braastad / news Published 25.09.2024, at 13.14



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