comments expresses the writer’s opinions.
(North Norwegian debate) FpU leader Simen Velle (23) is a rare shooting star for Frp. He is gathering votes from young urban men, whom the party had never reached before. In a short time he has climbed many steps on the ladder of power.
He gets little involved in immigration policy, but has a strong focus on personal freedom and responsibility and little government intervention. He is a star for the young liberal wing of the party.
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He is also the antithesis of Per-Willy Amundsen, who reached completely different voter groups, and is considerably more concerned with immigration policy.
A topic that is of little interest to young voters.
FRP is in Simen Velle’s world now, and will be so at the next election. He is on all channels, from “New again” to TikTok. In four months, he visited Dagsnytt 18 five times – there are many Storting politicians who can only dream of such exposure.
At the election in 2025, Velle will fight for a place in Oslo, together with Tor Mikkel Wara as this year’s comeback kid. They compete against a rare female candidate, Aina Stenersen, for the votes cast in the capital. It will be an interesting race.
There are many indications that the FRP is constantly distancing itself from the worst right-wing populism, and closer to a more pure economic liberalism.
It can pay off big. Especially with stars like FpU leader Velle on the team.
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With a strong focus on individual freedom also comes a relentless focus on individual responsibility.
And Velle takes that responsibility in an article in VG where he admits to having received a 30-day suspended sentence for possession of cannabis in 2018. In addition, he received a summons for possession of cocaine and cannabis on another occasion.
– I have fought day and night to become a better version of myself, says Velle to VG. He regrets. At the same time, he reflects his contemporaries. An age where constant individual self-improvement is baked into the DNA of young people. On good. And often in pain.
It is usually very liberating to tell the truth about things that weigh heavily on one’s conscience. And this has been difficult according to Velle. It is a secret he has kept hidden, even from his party.
I have no doubt that he will gain greater trust among his constituents with his openness. And the young men who particularly see Velle as a relevant political figure will not turn their backs on him.
Many of them are tired of the constant nagging about perfection and infallibility that they encounter in social media. Where a misplaced word can lead to viral vilification.
It is important for that generation to know that most people can screw up and land on their feet.
Many are also tired of people in power, ministers and others, who do not take responsibility for their mistakes.
Velle admits his mistakes at the right time. Some people think it is unnecessary, and sad that the world has become such that you have to reveal your youthful sins to the public.
All young people screw up. As a rule, they should be allowed to do that in complete peace in front of the press. It’s worse with social media.
But Simen Velle has a flair for power. I don’t mean that as a negative quality. And if you have a flair for power, you understand that the spotlight on your own mistakes always comes inappropriately.
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I have long thought that Velle resembles a young Jens Stoltenberg. Many young male politicians add Stoltenberg facts. But Velle even speaks with the same cadence as the NATO chief.
And now it may seem as if Velle has learned more than rhetorical rhythm from the Labor Party icon. It could be random. But it is always wise to learn from the mistakes of others.
Jens Stoltenberg was questioned by the press for years about drug use in his youth. He refused to answer for many years, because it was a private matter. But the press kept asking, because the more power you get, the greater the spotlight you have to endure.
Stoltenberg admitted to using hashish in 2003 – two years before he became Norway’s prime minister for the second time. And 11 years before he became NATO chief, a position he has held for ten years. A big responsibility that he has proven more than capable of shouldering.
In Norway, the press is not disproportionately interested in the private affairs of politicians in power. We rarely lift duvets in this country.
But some things, such as offences, will always be interesting for the country’s editors to follow up.
This does not mean that youthful mistakes make power seekers unfit for positions of power. They may even make them more suitable. Because you learn the most when you fail, after all.
Simen Velle is open about his big political ambitions. But it involves some additional burdens, which most young people today will not have.
He resolved this matter wisely. And is hopefully relieved himself and hopes to focus on politics. The Norwegian public will not berate Velle over this admission. He will probably meet with a lot of sympathy.
He can safely keep his ambitions.