Conservative Deputy Leader Withdraws Candidacy if Søreide Runs

Conservative Party deputy leader Henrik Asheim says he will support Ine Eriksen Søreide's candidacy if she enters the leadership race. Asheim told reporters he would back Søreide if she decides to run. He described her as a very strong and good candidate for the position. Both Asheim and fellow Conservative MP Nikolai Astrup previously expressed interest in leading the party. Asheim stated he wants to lead the Conservatives because he believes he can unite the party and drive political change. He also emphasized preserving what he called the decent, proper Conservative Party. Søreide has not yet publicly declared her intentions about replacing former Prime Minister Erna Solberg as party leader. Asheim acknowledged Søreide has substantial support within the party ranks. He believes she could do a very good job as leader. When questioned about his own leadership ambitions, Asheim responded that choosing Søreide would be the right decision in such a situation. The deputy leader considers himself a better candidate than Astrup but declined to elaborate on the comparison. The leadership contest comes as Norway's Conservative Party seeks direction after Erna Solberg's long tenure. Political observers note this marks an important transition for one of Norway's major political parties.