On Monday, all of the country’s Ap mayors sat in a digital meeting, together with, among others, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland. The topic was the electricity crisis.
Several of the Ap mayors notified in advance that they demand action aimed at business. During the meeting, there were many people who wanted to say something.
– The concern is strong. Now there must be an end to “following the situation closely”. Now we must have clear and targeted action, said Farsund’s mayor Arnt Abrahamsen to TV 2 before the meeting.
No concrete promises for business were given.
– But for households, we received assurances that the support will continue as long as there is a crisis, says Abrahamsen after the meeting.
Constructively
He nevertheless feels that the government took the mayors seriously.
– The meeting was factual and constructive, with great commitment. A lot of people wanted to share their opinions and their concerns and there was a lot in common, says Abrahamsen.
Kristiansand’s mayor Jan Oddvar Skisland agrees.
– It was a constructive meeting, with enormous commitment from the mayors, says Skisland to TV 2.
– I feel that it was taken seriously by the party leadership. It was a clear message that I feel was received well.
The mayors’ primary concern is business.
– We are very concerned about the business world, and especially small and medium-sized companies, which do not have the opportunity to secure good, long-term contracts. They took this signal very clearly. I am of the opinion that the government is working hard to overcome this here. But it’s a complex one, acknowledges Abrahamsen.
Will have an extraordinary parliamentary meeting
Deputy leader Marie Sneve Martinussen in Rødt believes that an extraordinary parliamentary meeting must now be called.
– When the government cannot promise the mayors powerful measures, the Storting itself must take action. The Storting must give them the measures they request, says Martinussen.
She suggests that a maximum price be introduced.
– Throughout the summer, representatives of most of the parties have been out asking for various measures. But now action is needed, it will happen when the Storting meets, says Martinussen.
Risk of bankruptcy
Farsund’s mayor is genuinely concerned about the business world.
– Some are probably in danger of having to lay off and reduce their activity, if they do not want to go bankrupt during the autumn and winter, says Abrahamsen to TV 2.
This is confirmed by Hans Inge Justnes, who is a co-owner of Edgar’s bakery in Mandal. Bakeries generally consume a lot of electricity and he now fears for the company’s future.
– I never thought that when I started as a baker in the 80s that it was the electricity bill that I would have to fear, says Justnes.
– Everything from large groups to small sole proprietorships will be reviewed, and I am concerned about how this could affect the business world, says Kristiansand’s mayor, Jan Oddvar Skisland.
And adds:
– It is about to become dramatic – we cannot wait any longer.
– WANTS ACTION: Jan Oddvar Skisland in Kristiansand believes that the government must show action. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB
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Unrest in the Center Party as well
The unrest is also noticeable within the Center Party.
Storting representative Per Olaf Lundteigen also believes that measures must come quickly. The SP chief gives his own deadline until Monday to come up with new immediate measures against the electricity crisis.
On Monday, the Storting’s presidency will meet to assess whether the Storting should be called urgently to deal with the electricity situation. By then, Lundteigen expects the government to promote two electricity measures:
– Regulation of the use of the power cables, so that we do not continue with exports when we have low coverage, and that we get a power support scheme for business, says Lundteigen to TV 2.
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