No local government funding boost with budget compromise (Aftenposten)

The opposition parties, the Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party, have all lent their ears to the complaints of the local government sector – but to no effect. At yesterday’s meeting of the national executive committee of the Norwegian Association of Local Authorities (KS), which was attended by members of the Storting’s Local Government Committee, many harsh words were said about the Government’s policies. At the same time the governing coalition parties were negotiating with the Progress Party to finalize a compromise agreement, to be presented today. Aftenposten has learned the main points of the deal, which gives the Government a parliamentary majority for its economic policies, while the Progress Party has gained acceptance for its key issues.

Agreement under fire (Verdens Gang)

Odd Anders With (Chr.Dem), State Secretary at the Children and Family Affairs Ministry, and Morten Andreas Meyer (Con), State Secretary at the Local Government and Regional Affairs Ministry, have expressed strong doubts about whether it is actually possible to implement the proposed pre-school day care reform. The Government spokesmen’s verdict on the agreement between the Socialist Left Party, the Progress Party, the Labour Party and the Centre Party was harsh. "With all the will in the world it is doubtful whether the plan can be implemented within the tight deadline that the opposition parties have given the Government," said Mr With. The Government feels the plan, which has the backing of a parliamentary majority, lacks clarity, contains major weaknesses and contradictions and is socially unjust in key areas.

Police ordered to intervene in cases of domestic violence (Aftenposten)

The police have been ordered to investigate cases of violence against women, even if the woman concerned does not dare to press charges against the perpetrator. According to Ingelin Killengreen, head of the Police Directorate, it was now being made quite clear that this was something the police should do. The guidelines, which are contained in a practical handbook being sent to all police districts this week, come into effect immediately. Domestic violence has been difficult to prosecute because victims often withdraw charges once they have had time to think things over.

Finance Minister promises tax cuts (Dagens Næringsliv)

Finance Minister Per-Kristian Foss has promised further reductions in both the residential property tax and personal taxation next year. He is not listening to the plea by the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry (NHO) for the cut in residential property tax to be dropped out of consideration for Norwegian industry. "Industry has been given the biggest package of tax breaks for years. The NHO should now reflect over the fact that cuts in direct and indirect taxes should also benefit private citizens," said Mr Foss.

Professor attacks ‘smug’ business executives (Dagens Næringsliv)

"Norwegian executives are smug," says Professor Tom Colbjørnsen of the Norwegian School of Economics and Business (NHH) after having investigated the attitudes and outlook of 3,000 of them. The executives themselves say they are among the best in Europe, and they are sceptical about foreign business people. Claims that they will leave the country because pay and compensation levels are too low are simply empty threats. The survey reveals that companies abroad do not want Norwegian managers.

Women make better bosses – say women (Dagbladet)

According to men, there is no difference in the way men and women handle their managerial role. But women disagree, according to a recent survey by the Institute for Social Research. Women feel they are much better bosses than men. But since there are far more men in executive positions than women, the dominant view remains that gender does not play any role in determining a person’s leadership abilities. Researcher Aagoth Elise Storvik points out that there is no reason to suppose that the new image of leadership will automatically have any impact on the recruitment of women to managerial positions.

Three-fold rise in divorce rate among elderly (Vårt Land)

One of the most important reasons why more elderly couples get divorced is that they have stopped talking to each other. In the past 30 years the divorce rate among elderly couples has more than tripled. A recent survey shows that men and women generally agree on the reasons for going their separate ways. However, women feel that a lack of communication is an important reason for divorce, as are infidelity and women’s liberation. For men, on the other hand, a poor sex-life is most important.

Worth Noting

• Christian Democratic mayors from around the country are venting their anger at Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, and have demanded that he personally intervenes in the current local government rebellion. They are demanding more money and want Local Government and Regional Affairs Minister Erna Solberg to be put firmly in her place. (Dagbladet)
• Unless the railway sector receives NOK 8 billion to modernize the rail network, many lines will have to be closed, according to Arne Wam, chief executive of the state-owned railway company, NSB. The Storting will today debate the Government’s public transport report. Despite the promises made year after year to ‘focus on the railways’, the funding to do so has not been forthcoming. (Dagsavisen)
• People who have taken early retirement under the AFP scheme will be able to fiddle the books legally if the Government’s new AFP regulations go ahead. AFP pensioners are allowed to earn a certain amount of money without their pension payments being cut by a corresponding amount. But by setting their estimated earned income at too low a level, pensioners will be able save up to NOK 14,000 in tax with a clear conscience. (Aftenposten)
• The planned merger between the two ferry companies Troms Fylkes Dampskipsselskap (TFDS) and Ofotens og Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskap (OVDS) has been called off. What was to have been a listed corporation with a market capitalization in the billion kroner class has turned into one of the biggest business disasters in the north of Norway. (Dagens Næringsliv)
• Kjell Inge Røkke’s battle against Norway Seafoods’ small investors has been expensive. After yesterday’s ruling by the High Court, Mr Røkke will have to fork out NOK 100 million more than he was originally willing to pay for their shares. Mr Røkke will probably appeal the decision. (Dagens Næringsliv)
• Norwegian strawberries are ripening at record speed, but the people who are supposed to pick them are still busy back home in Lithuania and Poland. This year’s strawberry season is one to two weeks ahead of schedule. (Dagsavisen)

Today’s comment from Nationen

Norway has become a dangerously easy country to govern for the politicians. Our oil revenues have made the economy so strong that it would be practically impossible for the Storting to run the country into the ground. And if they should spin out of control, Svein Gjedrem, Governor of the Norwegian Central Bank, stands ready to rescue them with one of his interest rate rises. Oil-rich Norway is in fact one of the few countries in the world where the national assembly can allow itself to act capriciously and still go unpunished. And capricious it is. And it is here the explanation for the opposition’s ability to inflict repeated defeats on the Bondevik government is to be found. Unfortunately for poor old Kjell Magne Bondevik there are no signs of the savaging coming to an end. The Norwegian people’s gut feeling of collective wealth can easily give the opposition more confidence. And Prime Minister Bondevik has precious little to fight back with. In fact we can see only one cure for Mr Bondevik’s ills – to bring the Progress Party into the coalition and form a majority government. But to do so would also spell political disaster for the Christian Democratic Prime Minister.