On Saturday evening, Peter Frølich officially notified the election committee of his decision to withdraw from the race for deputy leader of the Conservative Party, a position that has sparked considerable interest following Tina Bru’s exit. Frølich has been regarded as a frontrunner for the role, making this announcement all the more surprising.
“I am requesting that the election committee selects other deputy chairmen in my stead,” Frølich told TV 2, the first outlet to break the news.
According to reports from TV 2, the Storting representative had already informed the committee chair, Christian Ingebrigtsen, of his change of heart prior to their meeting on Friday—a move that apparently caught many committee members off guard.
Backing for Svenneby
Frølich, along with Ola Svenneby, the outgoing leader of the Young Conservatives, stands as one of the most supported candidates for deputy leadership from within the party ranks.
“After the election, we are working with a smaller parliamentary group, and I believe it’s important to utilize the platforms we have to showcase the talent we possess,” Frølich explained to TV 2.
“Allowing my election to create space for remarkable political talents like Ola Svenneby as deputy leader is a priority for me. Henrik has also made significant contributions as deputy chairman,” he added.
Although Frølich is stepping back from the deputy leadership candidacy, he expressed a desire to remain involved in the Conservative Party’s working committee and is particularly keen on assuming the role of chair for the foreign affairs and defense committee. Ine Eriksen Søreide has indicated that she will vacate this position should she be elected as party leader.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the parliamentary group to decide, but I would gladly take on that role,” Frølich stated.
A Work in Progress
Several media outlets reported on Friday that both Ola Svenneby and Henrik Asheim are strongly positioned for nomination as deputy leaders ahead of the Conservative Party’s national meeting set for January 13-15.
In response to the ongoing speculation, the Conservative Party issued a statement on Friday, affirming that the electoral committee is still in deliberation:
“We acknowledge the media speculation and appreciate the keen interest in the formation of the Conservative Party’s new leadership,” said the election committee chair Christian Ingebrigtsen. He confirmed that while the committee convened on Friday, it was not their final meeting.
“The committee’s work continues, and we have not arrived at a conclusion about deputy chairs or other positions. We aim to have a proposal ready well ahead of the national meeting in mid-February, but it’s too soon to indicate when this will be finalized,” Ingebrigtsen remarked.
Mayor: Cooperation or Conflict
Across the nation, prominent figures within the Conservative Party are voicing concerns about an impending leadership predominantly hailing from the Oslo area.
“We will never accept leadership that only represents Oslo,” declared Sture Pedersen, the Conservative mayor of Bø, in an interview with VG. “I assure you, we will not passively witness the election of three individuals from the eastern region to leadership. Absolutely not. We won’t stand by while the party is led by three folks stuck in their ivory towers on Karl Johan.”
In Pedersen’s opinion, Henrik Asheim should not be re-elected as deputy chairman, suggesting that candidates with connections beyond Oslo should be considered, specifically citing Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, the mayor of Bodø.
He urged the election committee to heed the grassroots sentiments within the party: “They face a choice: cooperation or conflict,” Pedersen warned.
Drevland’s Strong Response
Another influential Conservative voice, former Bergen mayor Trude Drevland, strongly criticized the potential for an Oslo-centric party leadership.
“A leadership dominated by the east is a poor response to Erna Solberg’s departure!” Drevland asserted, according to TV 2. “We must ensure that the Conservative Party represents EVERYONE, and that is the essence the election committee should embody in the new leadership.”