– It has been an experience of unreality that this has actually happened, Henriksen says to news. On Tuesday, it became known that the government promises Søgne and Songdalen a referendum on municipal dissolution. Henriksen talks about strong reactions within the Labor Party in Sørlandet. Some members have left the party in frustration. Some have also signed up for sympathy. A furious mayor Jan Oddvar Skisland in Kristiansand has already asked questions about government cooperation. – This is another signal that goes in the direction that one should consider whether it is appropriate for the Labor Party to be in government with the Center Party. Lack of communication In concrete terms, Henriksen asks that Secretary General Kjersti Stenseng and Jonas Gahr Støre come to Kristiansand to meet local management. She is upset that the Labor Party did not receive any warning before the news broke in the media. – I miss that the municipal and regional apparatus is informed. I’m disappointed with that process. It was in 2020 that Kristiansand, Søgne and Songdalen were merged into one large municipality. The inhabitants of the latter two municipalities said no to merging during a referendum, but were run over. Since the merger, zealots in the old municipality of Søgne have worked intensely to put in place a referendum to separate from Kristiansand. In December, such a referendum was voted down in Kristiansand City Council. However, the popular action did not give up. Therefore, they sent a so-called citizens’ initiative to the government, and were heard. Will look ahead Party Secretary Kjersti Stensberg (Labor Party) says she understands the disappointment in Kristiansand. – I have great respect and understanding for the strong reactions that come locally. This is a difficult case. Party secretary Kjersti Stenseng understands that the local party leadership is frustrated. Tomorrow she will meet Kristiansand’s mayor for a dishwashing meeting. Photo: Kristina Kalinina / news On Thursday morning, she meets Kristiansand’s mayor, Jan Oddvar Skisland, in Oslo. – Now I am most of all concerned with how we together can look ahead and have a good dialogue, says the party secretary. Leader of the Agder Labor Party, Cecilie Knibe Kroglund, says that the news reached them at the same time as it came out in public. – The decision will hamper Kristiansand municipality’s development. Kroglund stands behind the criticism from Mayor Skisland. – It is a decision that is contrary to a democratic process. This means that local democracy in Kristiansand has been overrun. Leader of the Agder Labor Party Cecilie Knibe Kroglund says that it is necessary to have a conversation about how processes should go in the government. Photo: Kai Stokkeland / news She says that the damage that has occurred is great, and that it is serious for the region and Kristiansand municipality. Chewed and spat out Political editor Vidar Udjus in Fædrelandsvennen calls the decision “a humiliation of the local Labor Party” which he has not seen before. – The mayor and the Labor Party’s shop stewards in Kristiansand have been so trampled on by party leader and prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, he believes. Local team leader in Kristiansand, Helge Stapnes. Photo: Svein Sundsdal / news Chairman Helge Stapnes in Kristiansand Labor Party supports the statements of Udjus. – I feel chewed and spat out again. We will not walk quietly in the doors, but will do so in a constructive way. Hi! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue
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– Unreal – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
