– With a lot of adversity, you lose a bit of your motivation, says Thilde Fosseide Thomasgård (SV). At the last municipal election, 130 young people under the age of 20 were elected to the municipal and city councils. Only 62 are left and are standing for re-election in the coming period. This is shown by a survey carried out by news. The 21-year-old from Molde is one of those who have given up. For now. – Powerless Four years have passed since Fosseide Thomasgård was elected to the municipal council in his home town as a 17-year-old. – I knew nothing about municipal politics, and had no idea what I was getting myself into. But it was something completely different than I thought. She expected the municipal council meetings to be serious. – But there has been much less politics, and more personal conflicts, personal attacks and ruling techniques, she claims. Thilde Fosseide Thomasgård is no longer as radical and fearless as she was before she joined the municipal council. Photo: Remi Sagen / news During these four years, the 21-year-old has lived for two years in Volda, where she still lives and studies. Much of the time has thus been spent commuting back and forth to catch the municipal council meetings in Molde. – It was tiring to live between two worlds, she says. Although my time as a politician has been educational and exciting, it has also led to my motivation slowly but surely disappearing. – I feel like I stand there and say my opinion, then everyone nods and says: “good that you say something, but we won’t vote on your proposal”. It’s like a pat on the back, and “so nice that you young women get involved”, and then that’s all you get, says Thilde Fosseide Thomasgård. Photo: Remi Sagen / news In the municipal council, Fosseide Thomasgård has brought forward issues that are primarily about children and young people. – And that is important to me, because no one else takes up those matters. But then almost none of her cases are adopted, because the majority votes against her proposals, she says. – I have felt a little powerless, and that no adults care about us young people. The mayor recognizes himself – It immediately makes me sad that it is perceived that way. But at the same time, I recognize myself, regardless of age. Mayor of Molde, Torgeir Dahl (H), says it has been a demanding period in the municipal council. He has been mayor for about 12 years, and says these four years have stood out. Three years ago, Molde municipality was merged with two other municipalities. The mayor says it has taken time to establish a good political culture, and that a lot has changed. Torgeir Dahl (H), mayor of Molde, is not running for re-election as mayor this year. He explains that they have had evaluations on how they can achieve better governance. Photo: Roar Strøm / news He says they previously had both a better balance in the municipal council both in terms of gender and age. – Something also happens when you get a new municipality with a larger geography. Then the districts become more concerned with getting their representatives in. Dahl explains that this has resulted in a strong preponderance of both district representatives and men in the municipal council. – I hope that will change at the next election. I hope we get more back to normal, and get a better representation, both in relation to gender, age and geography, says the mayor. Young people disappear quickly Tone Sofie Aglen, political commentator for news, says that there are many young people around the country who are on lists for the municipal council. – But what we see is that they also often quickly disappear from politics. – Some have worked consciously to bring out new voices, young voices, and that it might be easier. While in some there is more tradition, it is perhaps the same old people who keep it going, says Tone Sofie Aglen, political commentator at news. Photo: news Aglen believes it is about what phase of life you are in. As an example, she points out that as a young person you often move around. – So I think that for some it is not experienced as meaningful; that it is difficult to gain traction and be heard. But she emphasizes that it varies from municipality to municipality. Aglen believes that municipalities that focus on making politics attractive to younger people will win. – Politics is best if everyone feels seen and heard, not least the younger ones. – I’ve had enough of municipal politics for now, says Thilde Fosseide Thomasgård. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Will be a polar opposite Even if Fosseide Thomasgård is not standing for re-election this year, she is not finished in politics forever. The 21-year-old has a lot she wants to have done and said, but as a student in another municipality and with a packed schedule, she doesn’t have the capacity for it. – I definitely want to return. – Why do you want to go back again, then? – Because I want to change the culture in the municipal council. I want to be an opposite pole. And I have my ambitions and hope that the municipality will become a better place for children and young people, and not least women. – If I establish myself in Molde, I will re-enter politics. There is no question that I live there and should not have anything to say about how the municipality is, says Thilde Fosseide Thomasgård. Photo: Remi Sagen / news
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Thilde Fosseide Thomasgård is not running for re-election in Molde – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
