More activists, less political differences, less ideological mumbo–jumbo and unreliable left–wing opinions are some of what we can expect.

2005-04-20

Fakultetslistene, political groups representing the faculties, are convinced that ideology will only be a hazard to student politics. Venstrealliansen, a political left–wing group, is promising an election campaign you have never seen before. Sosialdemokratene, a political group of social democrats, feels that the students need a political left representing them. And Moderat Gruppe, a political group of conservatives, denies that they are trying to force the University of Oslo to become more of a market–driven University. The election campaign is due.

Negative Towards Ideology

“We are not organisations based on ideology but rather interest in that we represent the different student groups at our different faculties,” Maria Veie Sandvik representing HF–lista (Faculty of Humanities), Dag Vemund Haanes representing Karl Johanslista (Faculty of Law) and Øyvind Gjengaar representing SV–lista (Faculty of Social Sciences) say.

The three are in electoral cahoots with Realistlista (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences). They feel that action speaks louder than words, and that the Student Parliament has failed in that respect. In addition, they feel that ideological strategies are not the best means for students to gain influence.

“Too much time goes to waste by concentrating on the little differences in politics. The aim is to push your ideas through, and there is therefore no room for acting on principle. It is important to be willing to communicate in order to find a common ground,” Veie Sandvik states.

She points out that majority voting should be preferred as opposed to ideological views of representatives.

“Grassroots Group”

“In Venstrealliansen, we are in touch with people from activist environments who have great knowledge of the grassroots in politics, something which the other groups lack,” Benjamin Larsen of Venstrealliansen claims.

Larsen, who is under the impression that this is the first real election campaign or cooperation, stresses that he is not going to cry if Moderat Gruppe suffers a miserable election. He also believes that the lists from the faculties are an excuse to get their friends into the Student Parliament.

He views several differences between Venstealliansen and his left–wing opponents from Sosialdemokratene:

“I think Sosialdemokratene is somewhat this and that. They are unreliable as to their left–wing opinions. If you vote for us, you know what you get; healthy liberal socialism. As opposed to us, Sosialdemokratene is not concerned with the bigger picture in student politics. They are much narrower and only think regionally, whereas we expand our views on student politics.”

“More to the Left than Venstrealliansen”

Leader of Sosialdemokratene in the Student Parliament, Sigurd Berg, agrees with Benjamin Larsen of Venstrealliansen that there are visible differences on the left wing. On the other hand, he disagrees as to which group is the most to the left.

“We are definitely left–wing, and in many ways, we are even more to the left than Venstrealliansen since we are working towards measures to improve student life. Venstrealliansen is so reactionary that they do not want to change anything.”

“Not Market–Driven”

Moderat Gruppe denies that they are trying to force the University of Oslo to become more market–driven.

“We want a closer cooperation between the University and the working life so that it will become easier for students to get a job when they graduate. This is not market orientation,” leader Elisabeth Thorkildsen explains.

She holds that such an increased cooperation will be of benefit to both students, employees, the University and society. She believes that there is only one option to the right of Sosialdemokratene:

“For those who have been following election campaigns, debates and votes in the Student Parliament, it is probably evident that we are quite different. We are the only group on the political right wing available for students.”

Kristin Fredriksen • Aslak Johannessen • Translated by Egil Ellenes