Norway's Conservative Party continues its secret leadership selection process this weekend. Top candidates face intense questioning at a confidential Oslo hotel location.
Party heavyweights including Nikolai Astrup, Henrik Asheim, and Ine Eriksen Søreide are meeting with the party's electoral committee. The committee seeks to replace Erna Solberg, who has led the party since 2004.
Henrik Asheim confirmed his leadership ambitions after his meeting. He told reporters he's willing to be considered for the top position.
Ine Eriksen Søreide remains undecided about her candidacy. She emphasized the importance of careful consideration for the party's future direction.
Peter Frølich expressed openness to various leadership roles. He noted the challenges of balancing party leadership with family life in Bergen.
The Conservative Party suffered major losses in recent elections. The Progress Party surged ahead, costing the Conservatives numerous parliamentary seats.
Committee leader Christian Ingebrigtsen confirmed no decisions will be made this weekend. The process continues as the party seeks to rebuild after its election setback.
This leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for Norwegian conservatives. The party faces the dual challenge of selecting new leadership while recovering from significant electoral losses that ended Solberg's long tenure.
The secretive nature of these meetings reflects the high stakes involved. Party officials attempted to keep the location confidential, but journalists discovered the venue early Sunday morning.