Henrik Asheim and Tina Bru in the lead among the Conservatives’ princes and princesses

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“Erna is the star” is still a reality in the Conservative Party. That is the signal from shop stewards in the party. Many hope she stays for a long time as party leader.

– She’s a great leader. I am not convinced that Erna is finished even though government power is lost.

That’s what Silja Ekeland Bjørkly, group leader for Vestland Høgre, says.

Solberg gradually has a unique political career behind him: 32 years as a parliamentary representative, 17 years as party leader and eight years as prime minister.

Nevertheless, there are no signs of fatigue, demands for renewal or a leadership debate in the Conservative Party.

– Everyone agrees that Erna is unsurpassed. She can sit for as long as she wants. Then we have many good candidates who can take over, says Ola Svenneby, leader of Unge Høyre.

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The situation can change quickly

But the situation can quickly change if the Solberg government loses the election and has to resign. Then the Conservatives’ shop stewards will immediately look to the elections in 2025 and consider who can bring them back to the government offices.

Then Solberg will quite quickly have to take a stand on the question:

Does she have the desire and strength to continue for four years in the Storting with the ambition of regaining power in 2025?

Or is it, after she has turned 60 and held all the positions a politician can dream of, time to hand over responsibility for the nation to the next generation?

Solberg herself does not publicly give any signals that she has such thoughts. It would immediately create the impression of sitting on dismissal.

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Today, she answers questions like this about what she is doing after a possible election defeat:

– I have not thought about that, and I will not think about it until things happen. The only thing I am concerned about now is to win the election and ensure that the Conservatives can continue in government position, says Solberg.

– If not, then I will sit in the Storting for four years anyway. So then I get plenty of time to think about what will happen then. It is my mantra in life that you should concentrate on the job you have. All those who say you should plan every career step ahead of you in life are wrong. Then you lose focus on what you are doing, before she proudly assesses the aftergrowth:

– We have done a good job, and have many great talents. And we have taken someone into the government and the Storting. So there are many good heirs.

– Who are you thinking of specifically?

– I do not intend to pick anyone, no, no, says Solberg.

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– We have a luxury problem

When the Conservatives once elect a new leader, they are better biased than any other party.

Leader of Rogaland Conservatives: Ane Mari Braut Nese says that “The Conservatives have a luxury problem.”

– We are lucky and have many good people who can take on any role. In Rogaland, we are very happy, proud and cheering on Tina Bru and hope that she will be in the lead for a long time, says Nese.

The three hottest leadership candidates today are:

• Henrik Asheim (37): Minister of Research and Higher Education, Akershus.
• Tina Bru (35): Deputy Head, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Rogaland.
• Ina Marie Eriksen (45): Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Minister of Defense, Oslo.

All three have been given key roles at the national meeting arena this weekend:

Asheim is deputy chair of the program committee and chair of the editorial committee during the national meeting. Both responsible positions that provide deep insight into the party’s politics, inner tensions and experience in carving out unifying compromises.

Tina Bru is the youngest of the three, but already popular deputy leader and in a position for promotion. She will give an ideological speech on Saturday with a clear sting against the Labor Party and the slogan “now is the ordinary people’s turn”.

Eriksen Søreide is recognized as steady and skilled and has for many years been mentioned as a possible leader. But many are in doubt as to whether she really wants to: Does she want to take the step from foreign and defense policy, the UN and NATO, to tolls and free user choice?

Some of the answer may come as early as Saturday when she also prepares for the national meeting. Then she has the opportunity to present herself as an all-rounder more than a sector politician.

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Sanner can become a transitional figure

Some also do not rule out that the current deputy leader Jan Tore Sanner (56) can become leader if Solberg abruptly resigns.

– I hope that we can get a candidate from Viken or the Oslo region. We have two deputy managers, and Jan Tore Sanner is relevant, says Ørmen Johnsen.

But Sanner has been by Solberg’s side ever since 2008. In the case of many, he will be considered a transitional figure while the party gathers after the Solberg period.

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Torbjørn Røe Isaksen (42) is also often mentioned with his rhetorical and ideological talents. But he has said no to a seat in the Storting and is on his way out of active politics.

Minister of Local Government and Modernization Nikolai Astrup (42) also belongs to the party’s flock of skilled leadership candidates, but has a “narrower appeal” according to several.

Behind the 30- and 40-year-olds, young leaders also have advances. Among today’s Next Generation (25-35 years) leaders, it is pointed out:

• Sandra Bruflot (29): Former leader of Unge Høyre, Viken
• Mathilde Tybring-Gjedde (28): Member of the Storting’s Education and Research Committee, Oslo
• Jenny Clemet von Tetzschner (30): Political adviser to the Minister of Local Government, Oslo

Regardless: The Conservatives will first elect a new leadership at the national assembly next year.

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