Trond Giske selected as lead candidate for Trondheim Labor Party ahead of Norwegian parliamentary elections

Trond Giske has been chosen as the lead candidate for the Trondheim Labor Party ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections next year. After a significant victory, receiving 104 votes to beat peer Karianne Tung, Giske expressed optimism about returning to the Norwegian Parliament.

Hans Petter Sjøli, a political commentator, remarked that Giske’s return is the result of strategic and systematic efforts on his part. However, this comeback could reignite old conflicts within the party. Giske’s resurrection comes at a time when Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has emphasized renewal and building new coalitions within the party, which may be challenged by Giske’s history and previous controversies.

The internal dynamics of the Trondheim Labor Party were palpable during Giske’s election, with criticisms about poor communication and disunity evident from the discussions and the atmosphere in the room. Editor Lorns Bjerkan described the sentiment as “ice cold” and highly polarized. Pål Sture Nilsen, the party leader, acknowledges the challenges ahead and aims to foster unity as they gear up for the election campaign.

This is not Giske’s first attempt at a political comeback. Following his resignation as deputy leader due to sexual harassment allegations in 2018, he has made several re-entrances into the political sphere, though previous attempts have been met with criticism and protest. His position in the upcoming election is not yet secured, with the nominations meeting for Sør-Trøndelag Labor Party scheduled for November 30, where he will face evaluation alongside other candidates. Giske currently benefits from the support of the largest local group, Nidaros Social Democratic Forum, potentially strengthening his candidacy.