Stoltenberg promises Christian Democrats a tough autumn (Aftenposten/Saturday)

Labour leader Jens Stoltenberg is still dreaming of a future collaboration with the Christian Democrats, but first he plans to give Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik a hard time this autumn. "We cannot have governments which bulldoze their way ahead by demanding a vote of confidence for every national budget. That is why we believe it is necessary to have a majority solution," said Mr Stoltenberg. The Christian Democrats have certainly not gained much from their participation in the current minority coalition with the Conservatives and Liberals, according to a balance sheet drawn up by the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party and Centre Party after a week’s efforts to win the Christian Democrats’ favour. "Off the top of my head I cannot think of a single victory Christian Democrats have to show for their participation in the current coalition," said Øystein Djupedal, deputy leader of the Socialist Left Party. The Conservatives, on the other hand, have done very well out of it.

Stoltenberg under heavy fire (Aftenposten/Sunday)

The Government has attacked Jens Stoltenberg following his comments on the budget yesterday. "Mr Stoltenberg’s comments demonstrate that he does not feel sufficient responsibility for the budget. If Jens Stoltenberg, who is a qualified economist, does not take responsibility for the country’s economy, I hope that others will," said Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik. Lars Sponheim dubbed Mr Stoltenberg’s comments "not very grown-up", while Valgerd Svarstad Haugland told him to "stop being silly" and accused him of being "childish".

Minister calls for more shorefront building (Dagbladet/Sunday)

"Holiday houses and apartments along the shore play a part in increasing the public’s access to the sea and beaches. More properties could be built along our endlessly long coast without damaging the environment or people’s leisure activities," said Trade and Industry Minister Ansgar Gabrielsen. "I admit that it could be a problem in the areas along the Oslo Fjord which are already under pressure. There are areas here which are being privatized and closed to the public. So the local authorities themselves have to be vigilant. The Outdoor Recreation Act must be upheld in a sensible way. But there is far too much unnecessary fuss about the dispensations that are granted.

Building restrictions remain in force, confirms Environment Minister (Dagbladet)

"We will be very restrictive when it comes to building within 100 metres of the shoreline," said Environment Minister Børge Brende, putting him at odds with his fellow Conservative, Trade and Industry Minister Ansgar Gabrielsen, who has called for the construction of more holiday properties. From what Dagbladet is given to understand, Mr Gabrielsen’s comments have annoyed Ministry of the Environment officials. The issue of building along the shore is a Ministry of the Environment responsibility, it does not come under Mr Gabrielsen and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Call for Labour left turn (Dagsavisen/Saturday)

"We must be a party which takes the needs of ordinary people seriously, so that they feel we are speaking up for them – on all issues," said Dag Terje Andersen, one of the candidates for the Labour Party deputy leadership. "The aim must be to reclaim Labour’s position as Norway’s largest party by far, with the backing of around 30 per cent of the voters. I think this is possible, but for it to happen people must recognize the party and know that we take ordinary people seriously. You can call it a new direction or a turn to the left," said Mr Andersen.

Illegal immigration made easier by police error (Dagsavisen)

The Oslo police have come under fire for poor immigration control routines. All the police have demanded as documentation before granting applicants a residence permit is that they send in a copy of their EEA passports or identity cards by fax or post. The general rule is that applicants must present themselves at the police station so that officers can verify that their appearance and identity match those on the passport or ID-card. But according to the Oslo police force, the Immigration Directorate has granted them a dispensation from this rule, when the applicant is covered by EEA rules. However, the Immigration Directorate says it has no knowledge of such an exemption.

Government should have right to dissolve the Storting, says Vice President (Aftenposten)

A number of leading Conservatives are so fed up with the way the Storting has been riding roughshod over the Government that they have called for new legislation which would permit the Prime Minister to dissolve the national assembly and call a fresh election. "The Storting’s behaviour this session has strengthened the argument in favour of giving the Government the right to call a general election. It would strengthen the Government’s position if it could threaten to call a new election," said Inge Lønning (Con), Vice President of the Storting. Norway is one of the few countries in the world which practice parliamentary democracy without the right to dissolve the national assembly.

Who will play with Jens? (Vårt Land/Saturday)

According to election expert Bernt Aardal, the Labour Party’s current weakness has given the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party greater faith in the sincerity of Labour’s recent invitation to collaborate. But he sees many potential problems ahead. The closer cooperation between the three parties is due to start when the Storting reconvenes this autumn, and Labour’s overtures have breathed new life into the political debate as the summer draws to a close. Whatever the motive, a much reduced Labour Party is less frightening for the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party, and a little less arrogant than it used to be when it was at the height of its power.

Bible without ‘hell’ (Vårt Land)

Professor of Theology Jacob Jervell has provoked a strong response to his translation of the Gospels, in which the world ‘hell’ has been changed to ‘Gehenna’. "‘Hell’ is not what it used to be," commented Professor Gunnar Johnstad, an expert on the New Testament at the Norwegian Teacher Academy for Studies in Religion and Education. "Our understanding of this word is far from that which we find in the Gospels, which do not imply the existence of eternal damnation," said Professor Jervell himself.

Worth Noting

• Carl I. Hagen derides claims that the Christian Democrats are invisible in the Government. "On the contrary, I think it is sad that the Christian Democrats have achieved so much. They have managed to protect support for farmers, the county councils and the rules on the sale of beer in retail stores in the face of opposition from ourselves and the Conservatives," said Mr Hagen
  (Aftenposten/Sunday)
• Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik wants the Christian Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals to campaign as a prospective coalition government ahead of the 2005 general election. "It is natural for the Government to seek another term in office," said Mr Bondevik.
  (ANB/Saturday)
• Former Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg does not like being called ’childish’, ’immature’ or ’irresponsible’, which is what his successor, Kjell Magne Bondevik, and Christian Democrat chairman, Valgerd Svarstad Haugland, called him yesterday. "The public debate gains nothing from the use of such language. I will not join in the bandying about of such words. But I will not let it annoy me. Let us cooperate instead," said the leader of the Labour Party’s parliamentary group.
  (Aftenposten)
• The gap between rich and poor in this country is getting steadily larger, and people living in outlying towns and rural areas are falling behind. From 1995 to 2000 incomes rose far more in Oslo and the central eastern region than anywhere else. At the same time the income gap between men and women also increased.
  (Nationen)
• On 1 September the ground services of Braathens and SAS will be amalgamated. According to employees at Braathens, this will lead to chaos for airline passengers. They claim that SAS has miscalculated the number of employees needed, and that there will not be enough staff at Norway’s airports to make sure flights get away on schedule. SAS believes the move will not lead to any delays.
  (Aftenposten/Saturday)
• Christen Sveaas has been forced to scrape together around NOK 430 million in cash over the past few weeks. The money is needed to cover the multi-millionaire investor’s losses following the drop in Storebrand’s share price.
  (Dagens Næringsliv/Saturday)
• Church Affairs Minister Valgerd Svarstad Haugland is looking forward to reading Jacob Jervell’s new version of the Gospels, even though he has removed the hell in which she believes. "As long as he is not claiming this as the official version of the Bible, but his own interpretation, it is fine," she said.
  (Aftenposten)
• A number of high-profile economics professors are on the payroll of the country’s major companies. The academics are often used as expert commentators and participants in debates on radio, television and in the press, while their corporate connections are concealed from the public.
  (Aftenposten)
• The publishing company, J.M. Stenersen, led by Tore Tønne, is one of the main investors in a planned Hollywood film about the late Thor Heyerdahl. The film has a budget of at least NOK 400 million, and is being produced by Jeremy Thomas, the man behind ‘The Last Emperor’.
  (Dagens Næringsliv)

Today’s comment from Dagsavisen/Saturday

An important and positive watershed was reached last week. Jens Stoltenberg’s invitation to the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party to work closer together is an indication that the electorate may be invited to give Norway a centre-left government at the 2005 general election. The Labour Party has previously issued invitations to collaborate, it is true. But what we are witnessing now is something completely different. The Labour Party is in a position which has forced it into humility. Jens Stoltenberg has already begun to build bridges, first and foremost to the Socialist Left Party. Mr Stoltenberg is a more predictable politician than his predecessor, Thorbjørn Jagland, and can more easily build relationships based on mutual trust with potential coalition partners. It is worth noting how Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has worded his response to the burgeoning alliance. He has not said that the Christian Democrats will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Conservatives and the Liberals if his current minority government is still in existence at the next election. The PM strongly dislikes the threat of a powerful Progress Party. And the fact that the Christian Democratic Party’s branch chairmen have been so outspokenly critical of his government’s rightist policies has undoubtedly made an impression on him. As the eminently pragmatic politician he is, Mr Bondevik is holding the door ajar to the possibility of the Christian Democrats swapping sides.