Voting for second and fourth place on the Storting list for the Oslo Labor Party was due when the county team gathered for a nomination meeting in the traditional Samfunnssalen in Oslo on Tuesday evening. The members of the nomination committee have not agreed among themselves on who should have the safe second place, as well as the fourth place on the list.
– We have not succeeded, admitted election committee leader Rina Mariann Hansen after explaining the considerable efforts the committee has made through many and long meetings to arrive at a unanimous recommendation for the Storting list.
The majority of the committee nominates Hadia Tajik for the safe second place on the nomination list. The minority wants Kamzy Gunaratnam. If Ap’s support remains at its current level at the election next year, the party is likely to get only three representatives from Oslo in the Storting.
– We have a small group of politicians in Norway who can face Sylvi Listhaug and Erna Solberg in a debate and come out victorious. Hadia is one of them, said Hansen.
– On the whistleblower’s side
Hansen also pointed out that “there were few who stood as straight-backed” on the side of whistleblowers as Hadia Tajik when the metoo dispute ravaged the party. The then deputy leader of the Labor Party, Trond Giske, resigned in 2018 after several women reported him.
The party leadership concluded that Giske had broken the party’s guidelines against sexual harassment. Giske has contested this and also several of the notifications, but has also apologized for his behaviour.
Gunaratnam has the second place on today’s list and is nominated for the same place by the minority – consisting of one of nine members – on the committee.
– Who will take the fight for Oslo? The Oslo list is traditionally characterized by national politicians. Kamzy grew up in Groruddalen, is a popular Oslo politician, former deputy mayor and leader of Oslo AUF, said Laial Janet Ayoub.
Party leader Jonas Gahr Støre is, by all accounts, beaten into first place, and so is deputy leader Jan Christian Vestre in third place.
Completely even
Until recently, there was a dead heat between Tajik and Gunaratnam, according to him VG. Each of them received support from 105 delegates, the count the newspaper had carried out showed.
Gunaratnam is said to have led quite clearly earlier this autumn, with the support of more than twice as many delegates as Tajik. But Tajik is said to have taken the lead in recent weeks, the newspaper wrote.
As it is competitive voting, voting must be done in writing. It will make it easier for the delegates to break with their local team and vote according to their own convictions. The counting and mapping of how the local teams are positioned is therefore fraught with uncertainty.
If there is a deadlock, there will be a new written vote. If it also ends in a tie, the nomination will be decided by drawing lots, the rules of procedure state.
National versus local
Tajik’s supporters have highlighted the difficult position she has had in the Labor Party as both deputy leader and minister and the implementation power she has to show time.
Gunaratnam’s supporters have been skeptical that there is a lack of local political voice if only candidates who are widely perceived as national politicians are elected. Some also have opposite The daily newspaper expressed skepticism that Tajik is “shopping counties” after she reported moving from Rogaland to Oslo.
In addition to the battle for second place, there are also two battles for fourth place.
Here, Agnes Nærland Viljugrein has the support of a majority in the nomination committee, while the minority wanted Trine Lise Sundnes.
Frode Jacobsen is set for fifth place on the list.
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How does the Oslo Labor Party balance the need for national representation with the need to address local concerns in its candidate selection process?
## Oslo Labor Party Nomination Battle Highlights Divide
Today we have Rina Mariann Hansen, leader of the Oslo Labor Party’s nomination committee, joining us to discuss the intense race for second and fourth place on the Storting list. Rina, thank you for being here.
**Interviewer:** Rina, your committee couldn’t agree on some key positions. Can you tell us a bit about the debate within the committee?
**Rina Mariann Hansen:** We saw strong opinions and a genuine desire to select candidates who best represent Oslo and its values. The decision for the second spot, considered a safe seat, came down to a choice between two truly competent individuals: Hadia Tajik, favored by the majority, and Kamzy Gunaratnam, nominated by the minority. This wasn’t an easy choice, and despite extensive deliberation, we were unable to reach a unanimous recommendation.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned Hadia Tajik’s strength in engaging with opponents like Sylvi Listhaug and Erna Solberg. Can you elaborate on what makes her stand out in this regard?
**Rina Mariann Hansen:** Hadia is a strong communicator and a strategic thinker. She possesses the ability to articulate Labor’s policies clearly and persuasively. In a political landscape often dominated by strong voices, Hadia has consistently demonstrated her ability to stand firm and eloquently defend her positions, making her a formidable opponent in any debate.
**Interviewer:** Kamzy Gunaratnam is also a compelling choice, with her deep roots in Oslo and experience as both Deputy Mayor and leader of Oslo AUF. How does she compare to Hadia in terms of representation for the city?
**Rina Mariann Hansen:** Kamzy undeniably brings a unique perspective, having grown up in Groruddalen and dedicated her career to serving the people of Oslo. She understands the local challenges and aspirations intimately. Her experience as Deputy Mayor and Young Labor leader further strengthens her connection to the community and reflects her commitment to Oslo’s development.
**Interviewer:** The Oslo Labor Party list is traditionally filled with figures who hold national prominence. Does this create tension between those aiming for national representation and those focused on local concerns?
**Rina Mariann Hansen:** It’s a complex balancing act. We want representatives who can advocate effectively for both Oslo’s needs on a national stage and connect directly with the concerns of our constituents.
**Interviewer:** Rina, thank you so much for sharing your insights on this exciting and pivotal moment for the Oslo Labor Party. We’ll clearly be watching closely to see how the final nominations unfold.