Per-Willy Amundsen
Encyclopedia
Per-Willy Amundsen is a Norwegian
politician
and Member of Parliament
for the Progress Party
. He is currently the party's Spokesperson on Energy Issues.
to construction and real estate
chief Per Roald Amundsen (born 1949) and health secretary Wenche Berit Trudvang (born 1949). He was married on 11 July 2009 to Gry-Anette Rekanes, herself a local Telemark
Progress Party politician.
chapter. From 1992 to 1994 he served as board member of the Hordaland
Progress Party Youth, and from 2000 to 2002 he was chairman of the Harstad Progress Party.
From 1999 to 2005, Amundsen held various positions in the Harstad
municipality council. Since 2005, he has been a Member of Parliament from Troms
. During his time in parliament, he has been a member of the Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration
. In 2011, Amundsen changed from being the party's Spokesperson on Immigration Issues, to Spokesperson on Energy Issues.
or the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment
. By the latter part of his 2005–2009 term as Member of Parliament
, he however rather came to be mostly notable for his views and proposals on immigration
issues. While he formerly favoured Norwegian membership of the European Union
, he has since the late 2000s turned to oppose membership. He has stated that his political rolemodel is Margaret Thatcher
.
, freedom, freedom of speech
, equality
and tolerance
. He does not accept that all cultures are equally good or valuable. He views radical Islam
as "fascism
based on religion
", which he puts in his context of communism
as "fascism based on understanding of class
" and nazism
as "fascism based on race". He has said that he believes radical Islam should be fought against like all types of fascism.
His political proposals include to establish asylum centres in areas close to where the asylum seekers originate from, and in general to drastically reduce immigration to Norway. He has also sought to remove the public economical support for the Islamic Council Norway
as it did not distance itself from the use of death penalty for homosexuality
. He wants stricter control on Mosque
s, not accept halal slaughtering, remove halal
food from prison facilities, and reject hijab
in the police force. He also oppose special demands such as separate schools for Muslims, classrooms segregated by gender, limitation of freedom of speech
regarding religion
, special breaks for praying during work-time and alcohol
-free days in nightclub
s. He claims that the political left, socialists
and politically correct
people are giving in to many such demands.
He supported the proposal of a ban on burqa
and niqab
in public spaces which was proposed by his party in 2010. He stated that "we don't accept this type of clothing [which is] oppressive to women, and what they represent". The same year, Amundsen also proposed to put the immigration policy up for a referendum
, and proposed a halt of immigration to Oslo
in the wake of increased segregation and soon-to-become immigrant majority areas, which he said would turn integration impossible.
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for the Progress Party
Progress 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...
. He is currently the party's Spokesperson on Energy Issues.
Early and personal life
Amundsen was born in HarstadHarstad
is the second largest city and municipality by population, in Troms county, Norway – the city is also the third largest in North Norway. Thus Harstad is the natural centre for its district. Situated approximately north of the Arctic Circle, the city celebrated its 100th anniversary in...
to construction and real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
chief Per Roald Amundsen (born 1949) and health secretary Wenche Berit Trudvang (born 1949). He was married on 11 July 2009 to Gry-Anette Rekanes, herself a local Telemark
Telemark
is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
Progress Party politician.
Political career
Amundsen joined the Progress Party's Youth when he was fourteen years old, and was the chairman of its Harstad chapter from 1986 to 1990 – the last year also of its TromsTroms
or Romsa is a county in North Norway, bordering Finnmark to the northeast and Nordland in the southwest. To the south is Norrbotten Län in Sweden and further southeast is a shorter border with Lapland Province in Finland. To the west is the Norwegian Sea...
chapter. From 1992 to 1994 he served as board member of the 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...
Progress Party Youth, and from 2000 to 2002 he was chairman of the Harstad Progress Party.
From 1999 to 2005, Amundsen held various positions in the Harstad
Harstad
is the second largest city and municipality by population, in Troms county, Norway – the city is also the third largest in North Norway. Thus Harstad is the natural centre for its district. Situated approximately north of the Arctic Circle, the city celebrated its 100th anniversary in...
municipality council. Since 2005, he has been a Member of Parliament from Troms
Troms
or Romsa is a county in North Norway, bordering Finnmark to the northeast and Nordland in the southwest. To the south is Norrbotten Län in Sweden and further southeast is a shorter border with Lapland Province in Finland. To the west is the Norwegian Sea...
. During his time in parliament, he has been a member of the Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration
Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration
The Standing Committee onLocal Government and Public Administration is a standing committee of the Parliament of Norway. It is responsible for policies relating to local government, regional and rural policy, immigration policy, housing policy, building and construction, national minorities, Sami...
. In 2011, Amundsen changed from being the party's Spokesperson on Immigration Issues, to Spokesperson on Energy Issues.
Political views
Before the 2005 election, he stated as his wishes to work in the background within the Standing Committee on Business and IndustryStanding Committee on Business and Industry
The Standing Committee on Business and Industry is a standing committee of the Parliament of Norway. It is responsible for policies relating to business, industry, trade, shipping, state ownership policy, competition and price policy, agriculture, food policy, fisheries, whaling and aquaculture...
or the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment
Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment
The Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment is a standing committee of the Parliament of Norway. It is responsible for policies relating to petroleum, energy, hydroelectricity, environmental protection and regional planning. It corresponds to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and...
. By the latter part of his 2005–2009 term as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, he however rather came to be mostly notable for his views and proposals on immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
issues. While he formerly favoured Norwegian membership of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, he has since the late 2000s turned to oppose membership. He has stated that his political rolemodel is Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
.
Immigration and Islam
Amundsen has said that his concern with immigration is largely due to the problem of unintegrated immigrants. He says that many adhere to cultural values which "collide fundamentally" with Norwegian and Western values such as democracyDemocracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, freedom, freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
, equality
Social equality
Social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...
and tolerance
Toleration
Toleration is "the practice of deliberately allowing or permitting a thing of which one disapproves. One can meaningfully speak of tolerating, ie of allowing or permitting, only if one is in a position to disallow”. It has also been defined as "to bear or endure" or "to nourish, sustain or preserve"...
. He does not accept that all cultures are equally good or valuable. He views radical Islam
Islamism
Islamism also , lit., "Political Islam" is set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only a religion but also a political system. Islamism is a controversial term, and definitions of it sometimes vary...
as "fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
based on religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
", which he puts in his context of communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
as "fascism based on understanding of class
Social class
Social classes are economic or cultural arrangements of groups in society. Class is an essential object of analysis for sociologists, political scientists, economists, anthropologists and social historians. In the social sciences, social class is often discussed in terms of 'social stratification'...
" and nazism
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
as "fascism based on race". He has said that he believes radical Islam should be fought against like all types of fascism.
His political proposals include to establish asylum centres in areas close to where the asylum seekers originate from, and in general to drastically reduce immigration to Norway. He has also sought to remove the public economical support for the Islamic Council Norway
Islamic Council Norway
The Islamic Council Norway is an umbrella organisation for Muslim congregations and organisations in Norway. Currently, it represents 41 congregations totalling about 60.000 members. The offices are located in Oslo. It is a member of the European Council for Fatwa and Research .-Organization:The...
as it did not distance itself from the use of death penalty for homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. He wants stricter control on Mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s, not accept halal slaughtering, remove halal
Halal
Halal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law...
food from prison facilities, and reject hijab
Hijab
The word "hijab" or "'" refers to both the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women and modest Muslim styles of dress in general....
in the police force. He also oppose special demands such as separate schools for Muslims, classrooms segregated by gender, limitation of freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
regarding religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, special breaks for praying during work-time and alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
-free days in nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s. He claims that the political left, socialists
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
and politically correct
Politically Correct
Politically Correct may refer to:*Political correctness, language, ideas, policies, or behaviour seeking to minimize offence to groups of people-See also:*Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, book by James Finn Garner, published in 1994...
people are giving in to many such demands.
He supported the proposal of a ban on burqa
Burqa
A burqa is an enveloping outer garment worn by women in some Islamic religion to cover their bodies in public places. The burqa is usually understood to be the woman's loose body-covering , plus the head-covering , plus the face-veil .-Etymology:A speculative and unattested etymology...
and niqab
Niqab
A niqab is a cloth which covers the face, worn by some Muslim women as a part of sartorial hijāb...
in public spaces which was proposed by his party in 2010. He stated that "we don't accept this type of clothing [which is] oppressive to women, and what they represent". The same year, Amundsen also proposed to put the immigration policy up for a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
, and proposed a halt of immigration to 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...
in the wake of increased segregation and soon-to-become immigrant majority areas, which he said would turn integration impossible.