Arguments about the aviation industry

– It’s been a long day, says Sylvi Listhaug by phone from the Storting.

The main negotiator of the Progress Party has been in the second negotiation meeting today with the government parties, and it is not yet clear if there will be more meetings before Monday.

Once again, he is waiting for the ruling parties to respond to the Progress Party’s demands for the new crisis package that will save the business community through the new shutdown.

– You say it is urgent to find a solution, why didn’t you negotiate yesterday?

– Because we received an offer that was worst than we had received the day before. I think it will be difficult to come to an agreement tonight, because there are some complicated things left, says Listhaug.

Central to the negotiations is the Progress Party’s desire to find a solution for aviation, which also complicates the negotiations.

Until now, aviation has not been covered by the compensation scheme, which means that companies are compensated for a documented drop in turnover.

The fight for aviation

Almost all the planes are still on the ground, but the government last week said no to saving Norwegian.

– We are working as soon as possible to put in place a better compensation plan. We are also working to get a better package for aviation, which is one of the industries in crisis, says Listhaug.

Dagbladet is aware that negotiations on the aviation industry are particularly demanding when there are several different models under discussion.

The government’s proposal in the crisis package is to increase state purchases of flights by one billion by next year. This is one way the aviation industry can be supported, but the Progress Party itself has emphasized in its alternative budget that the state will continue to waive industry-specific fees.

When the crisis hit the business community like a fist in March, most companies stood their ground and were able to withstand a shock.

Now, many of the companies are already out of control when they receive a new slap in the face with powerful corona measures.

– Many companies have already used up their capital. It is the authorities that have introduced the strict infection control measures and many are now eager for answers on what the state can do. It’s also the Progress Party, Listhaug says.

You can give the Norwegian government the blast

Old age and loneliness

In the revised national budget this spring, Listhaug and Frp received a NOK 400 million package to combat loneliness among the elderly.

Today, Prime Minister Erna Solberg highlighted the fight against loneliness in her speech to the central board of the Conservative Party.

– Let’s take a stand against loneliness. We are going to see each other, listen to each other and include ourselves. Let’s share a bit of joy in a difficult time, Solberg said.

Listhaug asks that the beautiful words be followed by money.

– We register that the Prime Minister speaks of old age and loneliness. This is an area that we must strengthen in this crisis package. The elderly have soon been locked up for a year and loneliness is becoming a growing problem, Listhaug says with concern.

– Norwegian should get 20 billion

The budget remains

Dagbladet experiences that government parties and the Progress Party have yet to get close to the heated budget issues they must agree to before Christmas.

So far, discussions have only focused on the crisis package and not refugee quotas, aid, car taxes, tolls, and other FRP issues.

Listhaug doesn’t want to comment on what issues have been on the table yet, but he realizes there’s a lot left.

– There is still a long way to go when it comes to budget, there is no doubt about that. I believe that the crisis package, out of respect for companies, should be delivered as soon as possible. I still think it’s too late, but now we can hope to have a solution soon.

Mudassar Kapur leader on the finance committee is the Conservative Party’s chief negotiator. He did not respond to Dagbladet’s question Sunday night.