Former Conservative Leader Calls for Calm Amid Leadership Contest
Jan Petersen, the former leader of the Conservative Party, has urged party members to maintain their composure during the ongoing leadership battle following Erna Solberg’s departure. He cautions against allowing the process to devolve into an ideological clash.
“This is not the right moment to redefine the direction of the party. Our priority must be to identify new leadership that can navigate the political challenges we face,” Petersen remarked in an interview with The Class Struggle.
In recent weeks, various voices within the Conservative Party have called for a new trajectory. Young Conservative leader Ola Svenneby has emphasized the necessity for a leader who resonates with the “new right”. In contrast, Petersen insists that the immediate focus should be on uniting the party and finding a leadership team that exudes “political strength and professional credibility”.
Drawing from his past experience, Petersen encourages patience. “Restoring a party takes time. We’ve encountered similar challenges before and have successfully turned things around. Let’s keep calm; we’ve navigated these waters previously,” he advised.
He recalled the Conservative Party’s struggles in the 1997 and 2005 elections, both of which preceded a return to government. According to Petersen, the current priority should be to foster stability and trust in the incoming leadership as the party gears up for the next general election.
Among the candidates being considered to lead Høyre are Henrik Asheim, Nikolai Astrup, and Ine Eriksen Søreide. Additionally, Sandra Bruflot has officially declared her candidacy for the position of deputy leader.