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On Friday it was announced that the Oslo Conservatives will reject their own group leader, Øystein Sundelin (35). In their justification, the initiators list “unfortunate incidents” that are said to have destroyed their trust in the leader of the group.
Under the plan, the verdict should have come tonight, when the Oslo Conservatives meet to consider the motion of no confidence signed by 20 of the 33 city councilors.
Sundelin had announced that he would take up the fight for his political life at the meeting.
But in an exclusive interview with Dagbladet on Monday afternoon, Sundelin cancels the fight for the leadership position. Now he resigns as the leader of the conservative group in Oslo and asks his followers to lay down their arms and join the ranks.
– I retire. I want the Conservatives in Oslo to have a good and open discussion that demands that I now put the party first and take my name off the table. “It is out of respect for the conservatives in Oslo, who have given me so many opportunities over many years,” Sundelin tells Dagbladet.
– When I see the media coverage that comes from such processes, I suffer with the party to which I have dedicated all my time for 15 years. If I can end it, I will. Now the group can have a leadership discussion based on the fact that my name is not part of the leadership discussion, he continues.
CHOICE OF ROAD: Øystein Sundelin is injured after the outbursts against him from his teammates. Photo: Øistein Monsen / Dagbladet
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– It has been a lot of pain
Sundelin had the odds against him before tonight’s meeting, but he will not rule out that he was victorious in a vote.
– But even if the voting had ended and I had achieved a marginal majority, the road to reunite our group from the town hall would have been a long one after that round. So it’s easier if I step aside.
– Did you end up in Oslo Høyre now?
– Time will tell. But at least I am finishing this process. A process that has been painful and painful for me, there has been little sleep and a lot of pain this weekend, he says.
Anne Haabeth Rygg will now assume Sundelin’s leadership position.
– Think carefully
He does not want to characterize the motives of those who supported the motion of censure.
– I do not want to comment on the background or why things are done as they have been done. But I hope the lesson from the Conservatives in Oslo is that we can run this kind of process properly internally, rather than a full public laundry.
– This weekend you wanted to fight. Now you surrender. What has changed?
– This came so abruptly on Friday morning. I have spent the weekend thinking carefully about all that has been said and done. No matter how far down you end when you read the claims of long-term colleagues, I’ve spent the weekend thinking about how the Oslo Conservatives can make the best of the situation that has been created, says Sundelin.
Accused of lying: – I’m so sorry
Take self-criticism
He distances himself from all conspiracy accusations and lies as part of his leadership style.
-I take a total distance from what has been said about me in the media. It is incredibly sad that those who have been my internal opponents in the match have used as harsh words on me as they have. The personal attacks have been excruciatingly painful.
Among the critics is Eirik Lae Solberg, a former leader of the Oslo Conservatives group. Sundelin says she believes the collaboration with Lae Solberg will proceed professionally in the future.
– But everyone who is concerned about the politics by which we entered the Oslo Conservatives, they see that it has been an unfortunate procedure and a bad weekend for the Oslo Conservatives, says Sundelin.
– Do you take self-criticism for something in your leadership period?
– I have had incredible fun as a group leader of the Oslo Conservatives, and I have guaranteed, like many other leaders, to have started the processes in a slightly bad way. But I have responded when there has been a disagreement. The good work we have done is reflected in the progress of the measurements. That the choice of the path to a greener and more modern Oslo Conservative Party has given us more voters lately, I have no doubt.
– But are you a political actor, someone who has seen “House of Cards” thoroughly, so to speak?
– I don’t know what to tell you, apart from the fact that politics has demanding sides. But I got into politics for the freedom of choice of schools and lower taxes, and that’s why I’m still in politics, not to fight for jobs.
– has been very down
Sundelin says he now leaves it to the Conservative Party city council group to debate whether he should be awarded other positions of trust. And he wants to thank those who have supported him over the weekend.
– I really appreciate all the feedback I have received over the weekend. There is a lot of warmth and care on the part of political colleagues. It has facilitated all these hours. I’ve been very depressed, incredibly hurt and sad, he says.
– What hurts the most?
– There are characteristics of colleagues from the party for many years, people who have never said these things to me directly, but now choose to say these things in the press.
County leader Heidi Nordby Lunde says the case is sad.
– This is a very adult decision for Øystein, and I have great respect for the decision he has made. It gives the party a chance to find another solution and build the team and win the election in 2023, he tells Dagbladet.
– The treatment Øystein has received has been boring. It has been a talent that we have been investing in for 10 years and I still see it as a political talent. He is kind and thorough. One can disagree on management and mistrust can be completely legitimate in certain situations, but it is the last tool in the toolbox. This could have been handled in a different way, mostly out of respect for the efforts Øystein has made, he continues.
