Ine Eriksen Søreide, set to become Høyre’s new leader, admitted the party made a poor choice in its Western Norway strategy. Speaking ahead of Høyre’s national convention, she acknowledged the region’s importance, calling Bergen, Stavanger, and Ålesund “growth engines” for Norway. She emphasized that economic value creation, innovation, and risk-taking in the west are essential for the entire country, especially as state spending is projected to exceed revenues. Søreide addressed criticism over her handling of grants to the IPI foundation, led by Terje Rød-Larsen, whose wife Mona Juul is her acquaintance. She stated she had no professional relationship with Rød-Larsen during her time as foreign minister and that IPI funding ended shortly thereafter. She stressed the need for a full and credible review. Joining her in leadership are deputy leaders Ola Svenneby, 28, from Våler in Innlandet, and Henrik Asheim, 42. Both recognize Høyre’s recent losses in Western Norway, where the Progress Party gained ground. Svenneby said Eastern Norway should emulate the west’s lower child poverty, stronger export culture, and entrepreneurial spirit. The trio pledged to shift jobs out of Oslo and strengthen regional centers like Bergen, Trondheim, Bodø, and Tromsø to support nationwide settlement and economic growth.
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