Norway’s Conservative Party (Høyre) has re-elected Erna Solberg as its leader for another two-year term, extending her already historic leadership of the party until 2027. The decision was confirmed at the party’s congress held at Gardermoen, where deputy leaders Tina Bru and Henrik Asheim were also re-elected.
Solberg, who first became party leader in 2004, holds the record for the longest-serving leader in the history of Høyre. Additionally, she is the party’s longest-serving Prime Minister. By the end of her current term in parliament, Solberg will have served 40 years as a parliamentary representative, having been first elected to the Storting in 1989.
Rapid EU negotiations on the table
During the congress, members voted in favor of potentially swift negotiations for Norway’s EU membership, reflecting rising geopolitical tensions in Europe, primarily due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and challenging relations with the United States following Donald Trump’s return.
While Solberg herself opposes campaigning explicitly on promises for a new referendum on EU membership in the next electoral period, she recognizes the need for flexibility. The approved proposal, initiated by Oslo Høyre, highlights the urgency of bolstering Norway’s strategic position and security capabilities amid rapidly evolving global dynamics.
“In such an unstable and unpredictable world, where fundamental political shifts occur within weeks rather than years, it’s crucial to strengthen Norway’s room for maneuver and security,” the congress resolution states.
Internal disagreements on EU referendum
Despite the approval of proactive EU negotiations, Solberg’s reluctance to commit to a referendum has been challenged within her party. Prominent party members, including veteran politician Michael Tetzschner, stressed earlier this week that excluding a referendum from future planning is strategically unwise.
“We must acknowledge that the security situation has changed significantly, making EU membership more relevant than ever,” Tetzschner stated.
The Conservative Party has thus affirmed its intention to “actively pursue full membership in the EU,” setting the stage for potential significant shifts in Norway’s foreign and security policy in response to Europe’s evolving geopolitical landscape.
