Erik Strand, 08.07.2023
Annette Trettebergstuen had to leave because of a breach of the rules of competence. For posterity, some news/comments on the case (in Norwegian) are gathered here. You can also read this article about the case. It should be emphasized that there migth be a huge difference between different cases where the rules of competence are not followed. At one end of the scale, we find cases that are anything but obvious, and where jurists, after a careful assessment, come to the conclusion that a minister should have chosen to declare himself incompetent. At the other end of the scale, we find cases where the violations of the rules of competece are obvious, and they have occurred with the intention of giving friends and allies positions or other advantages.
I do not need to justify that Trettebergstuen’s violation of the rules of competence is firmly placed among the rougher on the scale. Others have done that for us. I refer in particular to this comment in Nettavisen, which points out that it is not just competence Trettebergstuen has lacked; it is integrity that has been what she has lacked.
Still, there are party comrades who want Trettebergstuen to continue as representative in the Labour Party. In an article in the newspaper Klassekampen on 27 June 2023, several representatives state that they want Trettebergstuen to continue. One of those interviewed is the county leader of the the Labour Party in Innlandet county, Lise Selnes. I quote from Klassekampen:
“County leader of the Labour Party in Innlandet, Lise Selnes, hopes Trettebergstuen will continue as a central board member.
– I really hope so. She has done a terrific job. We have great confidence in her, says Selnes, who hopes Trettebergstuen can return as a top politician in the Labor Party.
– I really hope that this is not the end for Annette. I hope we can take with us the power of her political involvement going forward. She has a lot to contribute in many fields, and we need to take that with us, says Selnes.”
A couple of other representatives also state that they Trettebergstuen to continue as a party representative:
“Wenche Pedersen is mayor of Vadsø municipality and responsible for women’s policy in the Labour Party in Finnmark county. She is happy that Trettebergstuen will remain in the party’s Women’s network.
– I have always had great respect for and been fond of Annette. Now she has taken the consequences of mistakes made as a minister, but she must be able to hold on as leader of the Women’s network.
Vanja Grut, women’s policy spokesperson for the Labour Party in Agder county, also thinks it is good that Trettebergstuen continues as leader of the Women’s Network and in the party’s central board.
– What has happened is regrettable, but I see no reason why she should resign.”
My opinion is that not all missteps or illegal actions committed by a politician should result in that person resigning from all positions. There are several reasons for that. I don’t want to spend time or space here to explain this position or to say anything about how serious things have to be before a poliician should resign. On the other hand, I do not see it as maningful that a recently resigned minister who has used her ministerial position to contribute to important positions being given to her friends in clear violation of the law and normal judgement, should continue as a representative in one of the country’s largest parties.
A representative in the Labor Party, as well as in other parties, will take part in shaping the party’s policy in areas that directly or indirectly have an impact on whether we will have a real democracy, or whether shady conditions will prevail. It may be about yes or no to the investigation of sensitive matters, possibly who will be responsible for the investigation. It can also be about infection control, foreign policy, the degree of surveillance in society, transparency in administration or to whom public funds are distributed. I would assume that the Labor Party has voters, members and representatives who agree with this.
It would have been interesting to have a thorough conversation with those quoted above about the real conditions in Norway, about what should be done to fix the situation, and the difficult question of who should do this. It does not mean that I plan to send any inquiries. I’ll leave it at that as an illustrative thought experiment.
Fampo 