– It was a big blow when I hit the asphalt, but I had to trust that I was strong enough to get back up, Hadia Tajik told Dagbladet.
Tajiks have experimented one of the deepest falls in Norwegian politics in recent times. She was deputy leader of Norway’s largest party and was seen by many as a possible successor as party leader. At the same time, she was “superminister” for the PA signature issues on labor and social policies.
In 2021, Kapital named her Norway’s most powerful woman. This year, Tajik is not mentioned in the 100 names list.
– Announce rental properties
– I can stand it
After massive media pressure following the case of commuter accommodation, in March he had to resign as both minister and deputy group leader, and assumed the position of ordinary parliamentary representative. Tajik was on sick leave for several weeks following the case.
At Dagbladet’s request, the Labor profile agrees to talk about the deep fall and how he sees the drama almost nine months later.
– I am a public figure and can tolerate critical attention. It’s not my place to roll the dice on this media coverage, but there will probably come a time when the media itself will take a closer look and take a stand on its own work, Tajik tells Dagbladet.
He wanted to stop Tajik
Washed clean
The IRS review of commuter housing cases is now complete and most of the cases have been resolved. Tajiks are not among those who have received any requests for additional taxes.
He tells Dagbladet that the Swedish Tax Agency has clarified that he has had commuter status since 2006 and that they recognize that his tax residence has been in Sandnes ever since. Therefore, she was entitled to commuter accommodation.
Tajik says she is now done with the case and is relieved that the IRS has found nothing wrong.
IN PARLIAMENT: Hadia Tajik returned as a grassroots representative in the Storting’s oil and energy committee after having to resign as minister and vice-president. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones/ Dagbladet
sea View
– I am pleased that I have not received any tax reports and that the Revenue Agency considers that my use of the commuter accommodation during the inspection period was fully compliant with the legislation. I see that there are many people who have received tax complaints and it must be hard to resist. I’m also pleased that it was clarified that I was already considered a commuter in 2006, with all that that entails, she says before continuing:
– It doesn’t change the fact that I didn’t handle that period of my life well enough. I didn’t get good enough answers. I should have had a more orderly relationship with the information received from the employer. And I felt sorry for it and I apologized, and I cleaned up after myself.
Tajik hired an independent accounting firm to look into his case and opted to pay NOK 200,000 more in fees.
Keeps “scandal” emails secret.
– Not bitter
– You were tax resident in Sandnes, but represented Oslo in the Storting until 2017. Is that okay?
– When I was representing Oslo, I was concerned about behaving as much as possible like the other Oslo representatives, and I only used commuter accommodation in a transition phase where I had nowhere else to live, until I was able to buy a house in Oslo. Even then there was public discussion that I was originally from Rogaland and had been invited to the Oslo list for the Labor Party.
– Do you feel cleansed?
– In any case, the taxman has not presented me with any tax claims and believes that I have always had commuter status.
Tajik still believes it was right to withdraw when the case was at its worst in March.
– I did what I thought was right for the good of the party and the government. Given the situation I was in, I think it was absolutely right to resign so as not to get in the way of the party and the policy for which I was responsible, says an open-hearted Tajik and continues:
– It was not good for the field in which I worked to find myself in the middle of a case that overshadowed the work being done in the ministry. Or that I have obstructed the work done by the party and the government.
– Are you bitter?
– No, bitterness is a poison that only you drink yourself.
13 quit
– Not good enough
After Tajik left the leadership of the party, AP entered a deep crisis. In recent times, the party has recorded a number of opinion polls as low as 15%.
Tajik believes the party must become “a better version of ourselves”.
– It’s obviously a difficult situation. These are measurements that are not good enough for the ambitions of the labor movement. We want to be a broadly embracing grassroots movement. Right now, we obviously can’t do that.
– Where has the government failed?
– I support the work of the government and I think it has done very well. Among other things, reduction of the maximum price in kindergartens and free after-school activities for the first class, and now also the second after conciliation with SV. These are very correct steps and help the finances of many families with children. At the same time, it is challenging to see poverty grow and we need more solutions for it.
Tajik believes the Labor Party must now create new policies to regain the upper hand on the right.
– We are a political party. We must constantly be on the lookout for new political solutions as social development presents us with new challenges. And one of those things is the enormous growth of poverty in what should be a modern welfare state.
Snuff crisis
– Massive development
The former deputy group leader of the PA indicates in particular social policy as an area in which to develop a new policy. Among other things, you supported the increase in family allowances.
– One wonders why today 14 percent of families choose rather to take out consumer loans to pay for milk and bread, rather than seek welfare. You have to go through the requirements for social assistance, because the threshold seems to have become too high. I think there will be a broad discussion ahead of next year’s national meeting, and it will be a sign of health for our party, says Tajik.
STOLLEKEN: Many speculate that Hadia Tajik will soon be ready for bigger challenges again. She herself does not want to say whether she is aiming for new positions. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones/ Dagbladet
sea View
He watches with concern the situation related to the increase in interest rates and the ever-higher prices of food, electricity and petrol.
– There has been a development related to those experiencing financial insecurity that has been quite massive. Now it’s a rather peculiar situation. Many ordinary families experience a much greater degree of financial insecurity than before.
Replaces directors
Silent about the future
– The situation we are in now is unusual and special, but I think it is expected from a party like ours that we can find good solutions for those affected, Tajik points out.
Many are excited to see if she’s ready for new challenges now that the commuter case has been cleared off the road. She herself is secretive about her own future.
– I am the first candidate for Rogaland Ap, I am a member of the energy and environment committee of Storting and I am grateful for the recruits I have.
– So you don’t foresee new positions?
– So I have a lot of working capacity and I am happy with the positions I have, says Tajik.
