Norway's newest parliamentarian, Simen Velle of the Progress Party (Frp), has discovered a 14-percentage-point gap between youth politics and the national stage. His party's voter support on school policy has surged from 3% to 14% in recent polls, a figure that now shadows the Conservative Party's 15%. Yet inside the Storting, Velle describes a system where direct answers are elusive and the machinery moves slowly.
"There is no margin for error in the Storting. You have to deliver immediately," Velle stated in a recent new year's interview, reflecting on his first months as an elected representative. The 26-year-old, once known for his long hair which he has since cut, portrays his induction as overwhelming. "It feels a bit like jumping on a moving train, to be completely honest," he said.
From Youth Wing to Parliamentary Hustle
Velle's political education began in the rapid-response environment of youth politics. There, a morning news scan and a quick shower could yield a ready-made statement for the press. The national legislature presents a stark contrast, governed by layers of administration and a much larger bureaucracy. "Things take time," Velle noted, identifying this as his biggest surprise. "In youth politics, things move very fast."
His primary frustration, however, lies in a perceived culture of evasion. He contrasts his past debates with the Labour Party's youth wing (AUF) leader, where pressing an issue would eventually yield a response, with his current experience. "In adult politics, people somehow manage to slip away from questions regardless," Velle explained. "I get a little provoked by it."
A Promise to Energize the Chamber
During the election campaign, Velle pledged to "blow life into the Storting chamber" if he won a seat. He intends to follow through on that promise, aiming to make parliamentary debate more engaging for ordinary Norwegians who may find it tedious. This approach aligns with his party's broader strategy to present itself as a direct, plain-speaking alternative to the established political elite.
His legislative focus is sharply trained on education policy. Velle's stated goal for the 2025-2026 period is for the Frp to achieve the greatest ownership of school policy issues. This ambition dovetails with party leader Sylvi Listhaug's pre-election demand that the Frp control the Ministry of Education and Research in any future centre-right coalition government.
"Education is a priority area for the Progress Party," Velle asserted. "We are not among the parties that believe we should keep the current systems and pour on more money. We want some new solutions for Norwegian education. And I will work day and night to reach that goal."
Analysis: The Frp's Strategic School Push
The Frp's significant jump in voter perception on school policy—from 3% to 14%—is a notable shift in the Norwegian political landscape. Traditionally, education has been a stronghold for the Labour Party and the left, with centre-right parties focusing more on economic management. The Frp's concerted push into this area signals a strategic broadening of its platform beyond its traditional core issues of immigration, tax cuts, and petroleum.
"This is a clear attempt by the Frp to modernize and soften its image, to appeal to suburban families," says political analyst Henrik Thune, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). "By focusing on schools, they are talking about the future, about community, and about values. It's a smarter, more sustainable electoral strategy than relying solely on protest votes."
Thune notes that Velle's public persona—young, media-savvy, and critical of political games—is a key asset in this rebranding effort. "He represents a new generation for the Frp. His criticism of political evasion, even from within the system, builds credibility with voters tired of polished, non-committal answers from politicians."
However, the analyst warns that translating voter perception into concrete policy influence will be challenging. "Owning an issue requires detailed, credible proposals. The Frp must move beyond general criticism of the current system and bureaucratic slowness, which Velle highlights, and present specific, workable alternatives. The real test will be in committee work, not in chamber debates."
The Long Road from Provocation to Policy
Velle's journey from provocation to policy-making illustrates a classic parliamentary challenge. The energy and directness that win media attention and voter support often must be channeled into the slow, consensus-building work of legislation. His ability to navigate this transition will be critical to his personal success and to his party's ambition of leading on education.
His comments reveal a tension at the heart of representative democracy: the public's desire for decisive action versus the legislative need for deliberation, compromise, and administrative due process. Velle's promise to inject energy into the chamber is a direct response to this tension.
Whether he can maintain his critical edge while mastering the intricate rules and building the necessary alliances within the Storting's corridors remains an open question. His haircut, which he mentions with satisfaction, may be a superficial symbol, but it hints at an understanding that adaptation is necessary.
The Storting's New Generation
Simen Velle's early experiences highlight a recurring theme for new parliamentarians worldwide: institutional shock. The Storting, with its centuries of tradition and formal procedure, is a universe away from the agile, conflict-driven arena of youth and party politics. His success will depend on learning the rules well enough to know when and how to effectively break them for maximum impact.
For the Frp, Velle is more than just a new vote. He is a communicative bridge to younger voters and a symbol of the party's policy expansion. His focus on education, if sustained, could reshape political battlegrounds in the lead-up to the 2025 general election. The question for Norwegian politics is whether a party known for its sharp critique can build a durable, detailed policy platform in an area as complex and valued as the national school system. Velle's next four years will provide the answer.