Kirsti Leirtrø Withdraws from Nomination for Sør-Trøndelag

Kirsti Leirtrø's Surprise Withdrawal

Kirsti Leirtrø, a prominent parliament politician, shocked the Labour Party by withdrawing from the nomination process in Sør-Trøndelag ahead of the next parliamentary elections. The nomination committee in Trøndelag Ap had drafted a proposal placing Leirtrø in third position despite broad support for her candidacy within the county.

Party Dynamics and Reactions

Despite preferences shown by local branches for Leirtrø to be nominated for first or second position, she made her intentions clear by asking Trond Giske to refrain from the top positions and make way for younger contenders. Leirtrø confirmed her statements through a text message, stating, “I don’t want Trond. Now I ask him to step aside for new, younger forces to move forward,” while still allowing Giske the possibility of the third position on the list.

Giske, however, expressed his commitment to remain on the list for his local party and indicated that he was not inclined to follow Leirtrø's request. The dynamics of this nomination process reflect ongoing tensions in the party, with potential implications for their strategy in the upcoming elections.

The Future Landscape

The ongoing conflict between Giske and state secretary Per Olav Hopsø for the top nomination spot highlights the challenges facing the Labour Party in Sør-Trøndelag. As gender balance and regional representation become key factors, the final nominations will be determined during the meeting on November 30, with 133 delegates voting on the candidacies.