Opptur, Club4-boblebad og hva skjer egentlig på rådhuset?
·35 min·3 clips
Why is it so difficult for the Progress Party to gain power in Trondheim, despite national success?
The episode opens with hosts Siv Sandvik and Terje Eidsvåg welcoming Elin-Marie Andreassen, the FRP group leader in Trondheim. They immediately address the central question: why does the Progress Party have difficulty gaining traction in Trondheim compared to its national performance? Andreassen expresses relief at not being in the Labour Party, which is experiencing internal strife. A recent poll is mentioned, showing FRP at 7% in Trondheim, which could translate to an extra seat in the city council. The discussion delves into the local political landscape, noting that Trondheim is traditionally a 'red' city, with Høyre having recently gained significant support. Andreassen explains that FRP in Trondheim is often seen as more liberal than branches in Oslo or Drammen, partly due to different immigration challenges. The hosts shift to Andreassen's personal political journey, recalling a 2002 scandal where she, as student council president, was photographed in a bubble bath at the notorious Club4 venue. They also reference an early political opinion piece she wrote opposing Trondheim's friendship city agreement with Ramallah, which drew strong criticism. The conversation moves to current city hall dynamics, with Andreassen describing a more contentious atmosphere in the executive board since the change in leadership. She notes little substantive policy change has occurred yet. A major topic is the upcoming transition in Trondheim from a council-manager model to a parliamentary system with a city government. Andreassen discusses the challenges FRP faces in potentially joining a coalition, given the existing platform of the current ruling parties. She expresses a desire to be in government but sees significant policy hurdles, particularly with parties like MDG on issues like urban development and car use. The episode then broadens to mark the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The hosts and guest discuss the prolonged nature of the war, the risk of war fatigue, and the implications for Norwegian defense spending and European security. Finally, Terje Eidsvåg recommends the film 'May December', starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, which is loosely based on a real-life story of a teacher who had a relationship with a 13-year-old student, prompting a brief discussion on the film's controversial nature.
