Audun Lysbakken
Encyclopedia
Audun Bjørlo Lysbakken (born 30 September 1977 in Bergen
) is a Norwegian politician for the Socialist Left Party
. In 2006 he became deputy leader of the party. On 20 October 2009, he was appointed Minister of Children and Equality
.
(1993–1996). He has university minors in French
and comparative politics from the University of Bergen
(1996–1998). After his university studies he performed mandatory civil service instead of conscript military duty, and served this duty as a secretary at Norsk Økologisk Landbrukslag and as a journalist in the daily Klassekampen
2000–2001.
and Natur og Ungdom
1995–1996, and was involved in student politics during his university studies 1998–1999. He held his first post in Sosialistisk Ungdom, the Socialist Left party's youth organization, as leader of its Bergen chapter in 1996–1998, and went on to become leader of the county (Hordaland) organization in 1998–2000, and finally became deputy leader of Sosialistisk Ungdom in 2000–2002. Lysbakken's first public office was as member of the Bergen city council in 1999–2000.
Lysbakken was elected to the Parliament of Norway, in 2001 as a representative for Hordaland
county. He was a member of the assembly's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. He failed to be re-elected in 2005, but became first deputy representative. He was elected deputy leader of the Socialist Left Party on 18 February 2006.
In 2009 he again won a seat in Parliament from Hordaland, and held a seat in the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence
. He was named parliamentary leader of his party group, but was shortly thereafter appointed as Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion in Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet on 20 October 2009, as the first man to hold this post. When Lysbakken was appointed to the ministry, his deputy Gina Barstad
took his place in Parliament.
" as well as the Oslo Stock Exchange
. In the study booklet Manifest 02 he also said that he wanted to abolish the right to own private property
as well as wage labour
. He has later stated that he no longer considers himself a Marxist.
Lysbakken has refrained from commenting on "quotes taken out of context," while Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has commented Lysbakken's views by pointing at former Norwegian Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen
who was also a revolutionary Marxist. In an interview with the Norwegian weekly Morgenbladet
, Lysbakken has explained that "[labels] don't matter to me [...], but if someone asks, I explain that Marxism is important to me in providing understanding of the society and the distribution of political power." During the launch of Deltakerne. En reise i demokratiets framtid. (The Participants. A Journey to the Future of Democracy.) he explained his views on elections, modern democracy and worker's influence in the work place.
Some have claimed that he has uncritically praised and defended Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
, although he has in fact stated that "I do not approve of everything Chavez does. But his government's efforts to defeat poverty, and the widening and deepening of democracy seen in Venezuela is sufficient grounds to support him against his many enemies."
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
) is a Norwegian politician for the Socialist Left 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...
. In 2006 he became deputy leader of the party. On 20 October 2009, he was appointed Minister of Children and Equality
Minister of Children and Equality (Norway)
The Norwegian Minister of Children and Equality is the head of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality. Before 2006 the title was Minister of Children and Family Affairs and before 1990 Minister of Children and Consumer Affairs....
.
Background
Lysbakken is the son of actor Sigurd Lysbakken (1947–1994) and cultural worker Geirdis Bjørlo (1952]). He attended primary school at Møhlenpris elementary school (1984–1993), and high school at Bergen HandelsgymnasiumBergen Handelsgymnasium
Bergen Handelsgymnasium is an upper secondary school in Bergen, Norway. Established in 1904, it is one of the oldest gymnasia in the country. Its architect was Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland, a nephew of the novelist Alexander Kielland....
(1993–1996). He has university minors in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and comparative politics from the University of Bergen
University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is located in Bergen, Norway. Although founded as late as 1946, academic activity had taken place at Bergen Museum as far back as 1825. The university today serves more than 14,500 students...
(1996–1998). After his university studies he performed mandatory civil service instead of conscript military duty, and served this duty as a secretary at Norsk Økologisk Landbrukslag and as a journalist in the daily Klassekampen
Klassekampen
Klassekampen is a Norwegian daily newspaper, which styles itself as "the daily left-wing newspaper".Klassekampen was founded in 1969 with a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist platform. Until recently, it was owned by The Workers' Communist Party...
2000–2001.
Political career
Lysbakken held various posts in the youth NGOs Ungdom mot EUUngdom mot EU
Ungdom mot EU is the youth organization of Nei til EU, opposing a future Norwegian membership of and adaption to the European Union . Their main arguments against a Norwegian membership of the EU are democracy, environmental concerns and solidarity, claiming that the EU undermines democratic...
and Natur og Ungdom
Natur og Ungdom
Natur og Ungdom which translates Nature and Youth, also known in English as Young Friends of the Earth Norway is a Norwegian youth environment protecting organisation. It is the only environmentalist youth organisation in Norway. 7000 members in 80 local groups work on environmental issues all...
1995–1996, and was involved in student politics during his university studies 1998–1999. He held his first post in Sosialistisk Ungdom, the Socialist Left party's youth organization, as leader of its Bergen chapter in 1996–1998, and went on to become leader of the county (Hordaland) organization in 1998–2000, and finally became deputy leader of Sosialistisk Ungdom in 2000–2002. Lysbakken's first public office was as member of the Bergen city council in 1999–2000.
Lysbakken was elected to the Parliament of Norway, in 2001 as a representative for Hordaland
Hordaland
is a county in Norway, bordering Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Telemark and Rogaland. Hordaland is the third largest county after Akershus and Oslo by population. The county administration is located in Bergen...
county. He was a member of the assembly's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. He failed to be re-elected in 2005, but became first deputy representative. He was elected deputy leader of the Socialist Left Party on 18 February 2006.
In 2009 he again won a seat in Parliament from Hordaland, and held a seat in the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence is a standing committee of the Parliament of Norway. It is responsible for policies relating foreign affairs, military, development cooperation, Svalbard or in other polar regions and matters in general relating to agreements between Norway and...
. He was named parliamentary leader of his party group, but was shortly thereafter appointed as Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion in Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet on 20 October 2009, as the first man to hold this post. When Lysbakken was appointed to the ministry, his deputy Gina Barstad
Gina Barstad
Gina Knutson Barstad is a Norwegian politician from Hordaland, residing in Bergen, who represents the Socialist Left Party ....
took his place in Parliament.
Controversies
Lysbakken has described himself as a Marxist, and has expressed wishes to "abolish 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...
" as well as the Oslo Stock Exchange
Oslo Stock Exchange
The Oslo Stock Exchange serves as the main market for trading in the shares of Norwegian companies. It opens at 9:00am and closes 5:30pm local time...
. In the study booklet Manifest 02 he also said that he wanted to abolish the right to own private property
Private property
Private property is the right of persons and firms to obtain, own, control, employ, dispose of, and bequeath land, capital, and other forms of property. Private property is distinguishable from public property, which refers to assets owned by a state, community or government rather than by...
as well as wage labour
Wage labour
Wage labour is the socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer, where the worker sells their labour under a formal or informal employment contract. These transactions usually occur in a labour market where wages are market determined...
. He has later stated that he no longer considers himself a Marxist.
Lysbakken has refrained from commenting on "quotes taken out of context," while Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has commented Lysbakken's views by pointing at former Norwegian Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen
Einar Gerhardsen
was a Norwegian politician from the Labour Party of Norway. He was Prime Minister for three periods, 1945–1951, 1955–1963 and 1963–1965. With 17 years in office, he is the longest serving Prime Minister in Norway since the introduction of parliamentarism...
who was also a revolutionary Marxist. In an interview with the Norwegian weekly Morgenbladet
Morgenbladet
Morgenbladet is a Norwegian weekly newspaper. It was founded in 1819 by the book printer Niels Wulfsberg, and was the country's first daily newspaper. For a long time, it was also the country's biggest newspaper. It was closed down by the German Wehrmacht during World War II...
, Lysbakken has explained that "[labels] don't matter to me [...], but if someone asks, I explain that Marxism is important to me in providing understanding of the society and the distribution of political power." During the launch of Deltakerne. En reise i demokratiets framtid. (The Participants. A Journey to the Future of Democracy.) he explained his views on elections, modern democracy and worker's influence in the work place.
Some have claimed that he has uncritically praised and defended Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
, although he has in fact stated that "I do not approve of everything Chavez does. But his government's efforts to defeat poverty, and the widening and deepening of democracy seen in Venezuela is sufficient grounds to support him against his many enemies."