Solberg: 50/50 chance of re-election

Despite signs of government wear-and-tear, and weak polls, Prime Minister Erna Solberg (Høyre/Conservative Party) believes there is a 50/50 chance of re-election at next year’s parliamentary elections.

“We are a government party in the seventh year. Then there is only one thing to do. Høyre should look ahead,” Solberg said when she opened Sunday at Høyre’s joint conference at the Sundvolden Hotel in Hole outside Oslo.

At the start of the new decade, and one and a half years before the next parliamentary elections, the polls show a majority for the opposition. However, the prime minister and Høyre leader was clear in her speech about what she wants.

“Høyre’s answers and solutions must withstand the reality that the nation will face in the next ten years until 2030. And in fact, I think we should set a goal, and that is that the 20s will be characterized by Høyre’s solutions for society. That the 20s will be Høyre’s decade in Norway,” Solberg said.

Equal chance
When asked by NTB if she thinks it is Høyre’s policy that will characterize the country after the parliamentary elections in autumn 2021, Solberg replied:

“I think there is just as much chance that we will be re-elected as we will not be re-elected.”

Solberg made it clear from the lectern that she is keen on continued government power after the election.

“I don’t know what it’s like with you. But I’m not actually done with the job of changing in order to preserve,” Solberg said.

“Reform Fatigue”
Solberg mentioned in her speech what she called “reform fatigue,” but also stressed that she believes change is necessary.

“Here at home we hear about the fatigue of reform for many. And I understand that changes in everyday life, both at work and in the local environment, can be difficult,” she said.

To NTB, she states that there will be no reform break on the part of Høyre, even though both the police reform and the municipal and regional reform have had a hard time in the last year.

Must lead
“We are committed to reforming in the future as well. We have to listen, but we also have to lead,” says Solberg.

Solberg also believes that the concept of reform contains more than people can imagine.

“There are different types of reform. Some reforms are slim, but others mean we deliver more,” says Solberg.

Høyre’s central government, the parliamentary group and the government apparatus participated in the joint conference.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today