Solberg to Step Down as Conservative Leader After Election Defeat
“It is good to see you all again. Since we last met, we have had a lot of fun, we have worked hard, and we have lost an election. Everyone here hoped the result would be different,” Erna Solberg, 64, began her speech at the party’s national meeting on Friday, delivering her final address as leader of the Conservative Party (Høyre).
Solberg has led the party since 2004, navigating both successes and setbacks. In 2013, she succeeded Jens Stoltenberg (Labour Party) as Prime Minister, leading Norway through several crises, including the coronavirus pandemic.
“It may sound strange to the 29 delegates who were born after I became leader of Høyre,” Solberg remarked during her speech to the party members.
Solberg arrived at the national meeting at 1:55 PM, receiving a warm embrace from her husband, Sindre Finnes, who was present to witness her final address as party leader.
“We are here as guests to hear all the kind words about Erna. We are really looking forward to it,” Finnes told NRK before the meeting began.
In her speech, Solberg extended a special thank you to her family. “I must thank my family. Sindre, Ingrid and Erik. They have given me the opportunity to do what I like best. An opportunity that has come at the expense of the time we could have had together. And at times also at the expense of their freedom and opportunities. Nevertheless, they have supported me in both good times and bad.”
Solberg received strong criticism from the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) in February 2024 following revelations regarding her husband’s extensive stock trading while she was Prime Minister. During her time in office, Finnes made nearly 3,300 transactions in approximately 80 companies. Solberg acknowledged that she should have recused herself from matters involving Hydro if she had been fully aware of the extent of her husband’s trading activities.
Økokrim (Norway’s National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime) concluded on November 3, 2023, that it would not investigate Solberg or her husband for potential insider trading.
“Never Been My Goal”
Solberg thanked those who campaigned tirelessly for a change in government in the recent election. “But unfortunately, the happiest outcome wasn’t achieved this year,” she said.
She also acknowledged a tendency to exercise caution and moderate her positions before speaking to the press. “I realize that this may make politics less ‘sexy.’ But… sexy has never been my goal,” Solberg said to laughter from the audience.
While the party, under Solberg’s leadership, achieved much both in government and opposition, she conceded that there were things she would have done differently. “Now, 20 years later, we cannot say that we have succeeded in everything. But we have succeeded in many things.”
She highlighted the increasing number of students completing upper secondary school and the party’s use of oil revenues to invest in the country’s development.
Solberg offered three pieces of advice to those who will carry on the Conservative legacy: look forward, not backward; see the people, not the systems; and recognize that collaboration builds strength, not isolation.
“I am proud of our project. Proud of what we have achieved. And I am proud to have led you,” she stated.
Solberg also addressed the issue of taxes and levies, a contentious debate during the recent election campaign. She acknowledged that Høyre must also support some taxes and levies, and that there may be less room for maneuver in the future.
New Party Leadership
The party will elect a new leader on Saturday afternoon, and the new leader will deliver their first speech to the national meeting. Ine Eriksen Søreide is widely expected to be elected, having received broad support since being nominated as the new party leader.
Tina Bru, the current second deputy leader, announced after the election defeat that she would step down from her position. After a period of discussion, the party nominated Eriksen Søreide as the new leader, with Henrik Asheim and Ola Svenneby as her deputies.
