1997 Socialist Left Party national convention
Encyclopedia
The 1997 national convention was held by the Socialist Left Party
was held from May 3–5 at the Oslo People's House
in the city of Oslo
. Erik Solheim
had held the party leader seat since 1987, was forced to resign after being the main reason for the escalations in the party conflict between the left and right-wing faction. After announcing his resignation, Kristin Halvorsen
became the only likely successor to him, even if she was a moderate and wanted to continue his modernization reforms within the party.
By the aftermath of the party, the left-wing faction of the party had lost nearly all leading positions to the right-wing faction, however the party's program became radicalized and the majority of the delegates wanted a capitalist and Labour critical stance. However Halvorsen disobeyed some party programs clauses, the most notable being to not collaborate with capitalist or capitalist friendly parties such as, for instance, the Labour or the Centre Party
.
tenure as party leader
saw an escalation in the conflict between the left and right-wing faction of the party. Solheim's tenure saw the crackdown of the left-wing faction; widening the gap between those on the right and left in the party. His rule also saw a wish of re-orientating the party's aim to be more open to collaborate with other parties and to be more open to inner discussion within the party. However continuing crackdowns on the left-wing faction led to intolerable power relations between the two factions.
With only one of eleven municipal party chapters saying no for the candidacy of Kristin Halvorsen
. She was early on seen as the likely successor to Erik Solheim, who was forced to resign because of an escalating power struggle. However she vaguely that she had not made up her mind if she would stand for election or not. With the resignation of Solheim being seen as a must by both side to restore détente
within the party. The right-wing faction however applauded Solheim's tenure. When asked how it was to be the leader of the party, Solheim replied; "it is easier to get forgiveness than permission", accusing the left-wing faction of being to conservative.
and his resignation
. Solheim used is time talking about what he called "future socialism", which according to him would mean more individualism
and a more modern approach within the party. Kristin Halvorsen
was elected new party leader that day. The Norwegian media also noted his "dominant presence" at the convention could be a sign of the party's complicated relations with him; because of his more reformist
stance on many subjects. Then sitting Prime Minister of Norway
Thorbjørn Jagland
believed that the leader change within the party would not change the Socialist Left's relationship with the Labour Party's. Believing that both Solheim and Halvorsen held the same beliefs, even if Solheim was more of a "theoretician" then a "practician" as Halvorsen was. Hans Ebbing left the party's Central Board in protest of the election of Halvorsen, sharing the same belief as Jagland that she would continuing in reforming the party and moving away from traditional socialist beliefs. This incident was seen as "childish" by both the right-wing faction of the party and the media.
and the Norwegian Labour Party
; which was voted a "tactical enemy" against the Socialist Left, and stressed the importance that the party could not collaborate with either the Labour or the Centre Party
. This no to collaboration with other parties made it clear that most members were not interested in further continuing with the modernisation program started by Solheim. However Halvorsen did not share the same belief or principals which were ratified by the national convention, seeing that she came from the moderate faction of the party. She would later disobeyed the national convention saying she and the party would be open to a government coalition with the Labour and the Centre Party.
Socialist Left Party (Norway)
The Socialist Left Party or SV, is a Norwegian left-wing political party. At one point one of the smallest parties in Parliament, it became the fourth-largest political party in Norway for the first time in the 2001 parliamentary election, and has been so ever since...
was held from May 3–5 at the Oslo People's House
People's Houses
People's Houses were originally leisure and cultural centres built with the intention of making art and cultural appreciation available to the working classes...
in the city of Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. Erik Solheim
Erik Solheim
Erik Solheim is a Norwegian politician for the Socialist Left Party . He holds two posts in the current Norwegian cabinet, and carries the title Minister of the Environment and Minister of Development Cooperation...
had held the party leader seat since 1987, was forced to resign after being the main reason for the escalations in the party conflict between the left and right-wing faction. After announcing his resignation, Kristin Halvorsen
Kristin Halvorsen
Kristin Halvorsen is a Norwegian socialist politician and was the Minister of Finance from 17 October 2005 until 20 October 2009. She is now the Minister of Education in Stoltenberg's second cabinet....
became the only likely successor to him, even if she was a moderate and wanted to continue his modernization reforms within the party.
By the aftermath of the party, the left-wing faction of the party had lost nearly all leading positions to the right-wing faction, however the party's program became radicalized and the majority of the delegates wanted a capitalist and Labour critical stance. However Halvorsen disobeyed some party programs clauses, the most notable being to not collaborate with capitalist or capitalist friendly parties such as, for instance, the Labour or the Centre Party
Centre Party (Norway)
The Centre Party is a centrist and agrarian political party in Norway, founded in 1920. The Centre Party's policy is not based on any of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th century, but has a focus on maintaining decentralised economic development and political decision-making.From its...
.
Background
After having promised "drastic changes" to the party when holding the office of party secretary, Erik SolheimErik Solheim
Erik Solheim is a Norwegian politician for the Socialist Left Party . He holds two posts in the current Norwegian cabinet, and carries the title Minister of the Environment and Minister of Development Cooperation...
tenure as party leader
Party leader
In politics, the party leader is the most powerful official within a political party.The party leader is typically responsible for managing the party's relationship with the general public. As such, he or she will take a leading role in developing and communicating party policy, especially election...
saw an escalation in the conflict between the left and right-wing faction of the party. Solheim's tenure saw the crackdown of the left-wing faction; widening the gap between those on the right and left in the party. His rule also saw a wish of re-orientating the party's aim to be more open to collaborate with other parties and to be more open to inner discussion within the party. However continuing crackdowns on the left-wing faction led to intolerable power relations between the two factions.
With only one of eleven municipal party chapters saying no for the candidacy of Kristin Halvorsen
Kristin Halvorsen
Kristin Halvorsen is a Norwegian socialist politician and was the Minister of Finance from 17 October 2005 until 20 October 2009. She is now the Minister of Education in Stoltenberg's second cabinet....
. She was early on seen as the likely successor to Erik Solheim, who was forced to resign because of an escalating power struggle. However she vaguely that she had not made up her mind if she would stand for election or not. With the resignation of Solheim being seen as a must by both side to restore détente
Détente
Détente is the easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation. The term is often used in reference to the general easing of relations between the Soviet Union and the United States in the 1970s, a thawing at a period roughly in the middle of the Cold War...
within the party. The right-wing faction however applauded Solheim's tenure. When asked how it was to be the leader of the party, Solheim replied; "it is easier to get forgiveness than permission", accusing the left-wing faction of being to conservative.
1st day
The first day was dominated by Erik SolheimErik Solheim
Erik Solheim is a Norwegian politician for the Socialist Left Party . He holds two posts in the current Norwegian cabinet, and carries the title Minister of the Environment and Minister of Development Cooperation...
and his resignation
Resignation
A resignation is the formal act of giving up or quitting one's office or position. It can also refer to the act of admitting defeat in a game like chess, indicated by the resigning player declaring "I resign", turning his king on its side, extending his hand, or stopping the chess clock...
. Solheim used is time talking about what he called "future socialism", which according to him would mean more individualism
Individualism
Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that stresses "the moral worth of the individual". Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance while opposing most external interference upon one's own...
and a more modern approach within the party. Kristin Halvorsen
Kristin Halvorsen
Kristin Halvorsen is a Norwegian socialist politician and was the Minister of Finance from 17 October 2005 until 20 October 2009. She is now the Minister of Education in Stoltenberg's second cabinet....
was elected new party leader that day. The Norwegian media also noted his "dominant presence" at the convention could be a sign of the party's complicated relations with him; because of his more reformist
Reformism
Reformism is the belief that gradual democratic changes in a society can ultimately change a society's fundamental economic relations and political structures...
stance on many subjects. Then sitting Prime Minister of Norway
Prime Minister of Norway
The Prime Minister of Norway is the political leader of Norway and the Head of His Majesty's Government. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Stortinget , to their political party, and ultimately the...
Thorbjørn Jagland
Thorbjørn Jagland
is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party, currently serving as the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe...
believed that the leader change within the party would not change the Socialist Left's relationship with the Labour Party's. Believing that both Solheim and Halvorsen held the same beliefs, even if Solheim was more of a "theoretician" then a "practician" as Halvorsen was. Hans Ebbing left the party's Central Board in protest of the election of Halvorsen, sharing the same belief as Jagland that she would continuing in reforming the party and moving away from traditional socialist beliefs. This incident was seen as "childish" by both the right-wing faction of the party and the media.
2nd and 3rd day
While the left-wingers lost most of the leading party positions to the right-wing faction, most right-wing stances were kept out of the party's new program. It was voted if the party still should fight against Norwegian membership in NATO and the WTO, the majority of the party voted against NATO and the WTO. This was seen as a victory for the left-wingers of the party. Another problem facing the right-wingers was that the majority of the delegates voted for a more critical stance against capitalismCapitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
and the Norwegian Labour Party
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
; which was voted a "tactical enemy" against the Socialist Left, and stressed the importance that the party could not collaborate with either the Labour or the Centre Party
Centre Party (Norway)
The Centre Party is a centrist and agrarian political party in Norway, founded in 1920. The Centre Party's policy is not based on any of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th century, but has a focus on maintaining decentralised economic development and political decision-making.From its...
. This no to collaboration with other parties made it clear that most members were not interested in further continuing with the modernisation program started by Solheim. However Halvorsen did not share the same belief or principals which were ratified by the national convention, seeing that she came from the moderate faction of the party. She would later disobeyed the national convention saying she and the party would be open to a government coalition with the Labour and the Centre Party.
See also
- Red-Green Coalition
- History of the Socialist Left PartyHistory of the Socialist Left PartyThe history of the Socialist Left Party of Norway or "SV," founded in 1975, shows a long-term rise in political influence. The SV's rise has resulted in part from its emergence from older leftist parties, most notably the Socialist People's Party...
- 1994 Progress Party national convention1994 Progress Party national conventionThe 1994 national convention of the Progress Party of Norway was held from 15 April to 17 April at the hotel Bolkesjø Turisthotell in Bolkesjø, Telemark...
— another famous convention, where the Progress PartyProgress Party (Norway)The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
split into several minor groups. - List of national conventions held by the Socialist Left Party