The EU debate in Norway has been rejuvenated after the brexit. The European Movement and No to the EU have both gained more members since Friday.
Negative growth and membership decline has affected the European Movement in recent years, but after the British said goodbye to the EU, the trend has reversed.
Nationen writes that the pro-EU organization, according to General Secretary Kirsti Methi, has gained over a hundred new members,
– We observe that the brexit has sparked a wave of sympathy and a kind of emotional response for those who believe in the European project, and now want to show that by joining us, she says.
No to the EU, has also noticed an increased influx of members. The brexit-supportive organization has gained 61 new members since Friday.
– It’s a little hard to gauge to how much this has been affected by brexit, but we see very clearly that we have got more hits on our web page when we have posted articles and other material to do with the brexit in social media, General Secretary Hilde Loftesnes Nylén said.
Both organizations have seen signs of a rejuvenation of the EU debate in Norway in recent days.
– ( Leader of No to EU) Kathrine Kleiveland was in the audience at a debate on brexit, where there was a full house. And many of the people in the audience were young people. This may indicate a revitalization of this issue, Nylén says.
– What happens in Europe affects us too. We are happy with the increased interest, and that people care about what is happening in the EU, Methi says.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
