Norway’s large trade union federation Fagforbundet doesn’t want the Center Party to “flirt” with parties on the non-socialist side of Norwegian politics. Since it’s the party’s biggest single donor, it may well get its way.
“We have a clear message to the Center Party,” federation leader Mette Nord told newspaper Klassekampen this week. “It must seek cooperation on the left side in both the townships and counties, and not do any horse-trading with either the Conservatives or the Progress Party in connection with local elections this fall.”
Center has long cooperated with other leftist parties at the national level and was part of the Labour-led government coalition from 2005 to 2013. It has often cooperated with parties on the right at the local level, however, and Nord claims that undermines the trade unions’ efforts to secure better working conditions in the townships.
“Our members become the big losers if the Center Party cooperates with non-socialist parties,” she told Klassekampen. Her federation has around 365,000 members and donates around NOK 2.5 million every year to the Center Party. It remained unclear whether the federation would cut its support to the party if its wishes are ignored.
newsinenglish.no staff