During a press conference ahead of the national meeting, Moxnes described the party’s view on arms aid to Ukraine as “one of the most well-known disagreements” of the party. – Red has had one position, and has entered into a thorough debate. During the national meeting, we will make the final decision. It happens either Saturday night or Sunday morning. – That discussion is going to be long. Many will take the floor to express their opinion. Part of the purpose is that party democracy gets to decide. The same applies to the offshore wind issue and the statutes in the party, says Moxnes ahead of the national meeting. The party has long believed that Norway should not send arms to Ukraine, because we border directly on Russia and that arms aid would make Norway a “fellow warring state”. The party has also been highly critical of the US’s power in the world and they are against Norwegian NATO membership. Leader Bjørnar Moxnes said on 17 March this year that he would say yes to arms aid to Ukraine. – I hope that the national assembly will agree and say a clear yes to arms support, but not unconditionally. It is important for an anti-imperialist party that we land there. Rødt leader Bjørnar Moxnes hopes the party will agree to send weapons to Ukraine. Photo: Elise Pedersen / news Cooperation with the left – Here in Stavanger, Rødt governs together with the Labor Party and a whole coalition of parties. They have achieved a lot. Be at the forefront of ensuring that you do not lose child benefit if you receive social assistance. They have also done something with dental health. I would say to Støre and Vedum: look to Stavanger. Moxnes is clear that he wants increased cooperation with the left. – We can achieve a lot together. We want to collaborate and be involved in governing in municipalities around the country. We want to stop the right-wing wave. Then Stavanger is a good place to look. – If there is a no to arms aid, will it be more difficult to achieve cooperation with Ap? – I think it is domestic politics that is decisive when it comes to cooperation in the run-up to the general election. Also in the municipalities after the local elections, he says and elaborates: – Meeting the price crisis by increasing minimum benefits, cutting the pile of bills for most people and taking control of electricity prices. We can achieve that even if we have different views on arms support to Ukraine. The politicians in Rødt are divided on the weapons aid issue. Terje Ørsnes from Hamar and Terje Jektvik from Ringsaker are uncertain. Kristen Bay from Nord-Østerdal is against arms aid to Ukraine. Photo: Line Tomter / news The local team in Stange has decided that municipal council representative Unni Kronstad will vote for weapons aid. – This is a difficult issue and there were very divided opinions among the members. But in our party there is at least room for debating arms aid, unlike other parties. The majority in the local team say yes to arms aid. I also leaned towards yes, but not unconditionally. Municipal board representative in Rødt, Unni Kronstad Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news The offshore wind issue Matters such as taxes, working life, but also strikes, the electricity crisis and offshore wind are among the many topics to be discussed during the national meeting. Rødt’s current policy regarding offshore wind is currently strictly precautionary, and the debate is divided into three. Some believe that: Norway must not investigate the development of offshore wind. Offshore wind should electrify the Norwegian continental shelf. Norway should use offshore wind for the general power supply, but at the same time balance various considerations, including fishing and ecosystems in the sea. Party barometer February What would you vote for if there were a general election? Compared to January.Party SupportChange33.4%HøyreH+12,816.6%ArbeiderpartietAP−8,414.6%Socialist Liberal PartySV+3,310.8%RødtR+3.98.9%Environmental Party De GreenMDG−1.55.5%VenstreV+0.63 ,8%FremskrittspartietFRP−1,32,2%Kristelig FolkepartiKRF+0,21,3%SenterpartietSP−5,81,2%PensionistpartietPP−3,60,9%AndreAndre−0,8597 interviews conducted in the period 14.3.23–20.3 .23. Margins of error from 0.9–5 pp. Source: Norstat for news and Adresseavisen
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The dispute in Red over Norway’s arms aid to Ukraine will be decided this weekend – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
