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– The legislative changes for which we have finally received approval are long-lasting and provide a broader perspective than exactly the number of refugees in the quota next year, says Sylvi Listhaug, FRP deputy leader at Dagbladet.
It’s the day after, but the mood in the party is picking up after the budget deal with the government parties yesterday, Listhaug says.
She needs to make it clear that yes, it is a defeat for the Progress Party that Norway will also receive 3,000 quota refugees next year.
But: Defeat is far outweighed, according to Listhaug, by austerity in FRP immigration and refugee policy, and Listhaug has struggled for years:
- Higher residency requirements of three to five years for a permanent residence permit.
- The initial benefit can no longer be considered income for family immigration.
- Give priority to Christians, Ahmadi Muslims and Yezidis among the quota refugees.
Races against Frp: – «Betrayal» of «drunken sailors»
Seven long years
The FRP has tried to get the first proposal from KrF and the Liberal Party since 2013. It took seven years before they succeeded.
– It was in the Nydalen agreement, but KrF and the Liberal Party refused to vote in 2016 when we presented the proposal to the government. The proposal means that fewer refugees can be granted permanent residence. KrF and the Liberal Party refused to participate in this both in Jeløya and in Granavolden.
– Finally, KrF and the Liberal Party must bow down and vote to make immigration policy in Norway tighter, says Listhaug.
Listhaug first formulated the budget requirements this summer when Dagbladet visited the farm in Sjøholt.
– There will be no 3,000 quota refugees in 2021, Listhaug said then, something he then repeated several times.
But now there are still 3,000 refugees.
– The reason we accepted 3,000 quota refugees was, first and foremost, that we don’t want to throw the country into a government crisis in the midst of an ongoing corona crisis. In addition, we receive a package that can secure homes, jobs and finances for many in a difficult time and that immigration policy will be more strict with this, explains Listhaug.
– Sablet down by KrF
One of the proposals that the FRP has struggled to pass in government, but was resolved after its departure, is that Christian refugees should be given priority.
That it has been difficult to involve the Christian People’s Party in this is beyond Listhaug’s understanding.
– When we launched this proposal, KrF sabotaged us. It is absurd that KrF believes that it is a problem to prioritize persecuted Christians. It is incomprehensible, but for us it is an important priority. For us, it boils down to the fact that the persecution of Christians gets very little attention and this is an opportunity to highlight those who are persecuted for their faith, says the deputy leader of the FRP.
– Relief
Party leader Siv Jensen removed the Progress Party from government in January and expected a breakthrough abroad. Now the first budget is on the table as the first decision:
– The advances that we have received show that, anyway, we obtain more outside the government than inside. When we did nothing for the first time regarding the number of refugees in the quota, we were satisfied with these adjustments. This is also important for future asylum policy and how attractive Norway is as a destination.
– It is a relief that after seven years we have finally brought KrF and the Liberal Party to their knees to vote in favor of refugees not obtaining permanent residence in Norway until after five years instead of three years like today, says Listhaug .
Fritt frp
Listhaug also emphasizes that Erna Solberg at the Storting has given free rein to the Progress Party in the future. In the budget agreement, the FRP is free to promote policies that also have budgetary consequences. It allows a majority with the Labor Party and the Center Party in the crown measures, without affecting budget unity.
However, eight members of the Progress Party voted no to the agreement that the party leadership had negotiated.
– What does that tell you?
– That the people of our party are tired of the Liberal Party and KrF. We are concerned with refining the FRP policy and will do so in the future. It is therefore also important that we have agreed that we are now free to make proposals in the Storting that have budgetary consequences, says Listhaug.
– Does this freedom mean that the government and Erna Solberg are weakened by this budget agreement?
– Yes, there is no doubt about that. We will promote the proposals that we believe are correct to get the country out of this crisis. This does not mean that we will become bananas, but we are completely free to do what we believe is best for the country.
