Progress Party Names Simen Velle Education Chief
Norway's Progress Party appointed Simen Velle as their new education committee leader. The young politician will focus on challenging government policies affecting high school graduation traditions. Velle claims current rules unfairly target Norwegian youth.
The Progress Party assigned parliamentary committee roles on Monday. Simen Velle becomes the party's new education committee leader. Velle is popular among young male voters in Norway. He expressed excitement about his new position. Velle said he received great trust from the party group. He joins what he calls an extremely qualified education team. The team includes both a teacher and a school principal. When asked how he qualified for leadership, Velle pointed to his consistent voice on education policy. He believes the team can appeal to young voters together. Velle identified three priority issues for his new role. His third priority involves challenging the government's russepolitikk. Russ is the traditional Norwegian graduation celebration for high school students. The celebration involves weeks of partying and special traditions. Velle opposes Education Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun's policies toward russ celebrations. He calls the government's approach deeply unfair symbolism. Velle specifically criticized the recent ban on reserved bus seating for russ students. The ban came just days after recent elections. He claims youth will bear the costs without predictability. The education minister's policies appear to target excessive partying during russ celebrations. Velle's appointment signals the party's focus on youth issues ahead. His popularity among young voters gives him credibility on education matters. The education committee role puts him in direct opposition to the minister.