(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
[5. September] On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Minister of Labor and Social Inclusion Dag Terje Andersen (ap) convened a press conference.
"It is necessary to take measures to limit the number of asylum seekers who do not need protection," Stoltenberg said.
And then the Government launched an 13 bullet plan to make it more difficult for people on the run to get to one of the world's richest countries. SV and Kristin Halvorsen took a brave and correct dissent on one of the points, namely that immigrants with a stay on humanitarian grounds must show four years of schooling or work experience in order to have family reunification or to marry a spouse.
In addition, SV marks political disagreement on seven of the other points – including the fact that one should now force the return of refugees, including children, to war-torn Iraq, one of the most dangerous places in the world to stay. In addition, the UN's recommendations will be followed to a lesser extent than what was promised in the Soria Moria Declaration. On several of these points, SV could, and perhaps should, have also dissented.
frightening
It seems almost incomprehensible and wobbly that Stoltenberg suddenly comes with such a controversial and panicky tightening now, one year before the election. Not only does he break the intentions of the Soria Moria Declaration, which he has argued so hard for. He also plays the ball right in the lap of the Progress Party, and it's hard to see Stoltenberg being able to win a political debate on Siv Jensen's home ground as well. The proposals go loose on the soul of the labor movement. It was not for this Martin Tranmæl and Einar Gerhardsen built the labor movement and the country.
It is frightening to see how Stoltenberg seems to be pressured by the tabloid media in such an important case, which concerns life and death for children, women and men on the run. On Wednesday morning, the following preface appeared on VG's news pages: «Both Aps Jan Bøhler, the Conservatives and the Liberal Party want to turn the asylum flow around… – Get them out! The demand from politicians and reader letter writers is sounding as the demand increases and the receptions are filled up. "
A few hours later, Stoltenberg followed up on the wishes of the populists and the mob. That is not only disappointing but also scary. The Government's press release states: “Norway has, next to the Netherlands, had the largest increase in asylum arrivals in Europe in 2008. So far this year, there have been more than twice as many asylum seekers as at the same time last year. »
This is almost a transcript of a case Aftenposten had on the front page a few weeks ago. But the argument is based on completely wrong premises: Last year, Norway had just over 2000 asylum arrivals, one of the lowest figures in rich Europe. There are still fewer asylum seekers coming to Norway than to Sweden. Still, Stoltenberg is rude enough to push Sweden ahead.
This is short-term policy, not to mention short-term. The experiences from Denmark are frightening. The argument and procedure are shameful.