Ex-Norwegian PM announces resigning as Conservative Party leader

(MENAFN) Former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced Friday that she will resign as leader of the Conservative Party after more than 20 years in charge, citing the party’s poor election performance as a reason to “take responsibility.”

Speaking at a press conference after a party leadership meeting, Solberg said she has requested the central board to convene an extraordinary congress in 2026 to elect her successor, according to reports.

“When Hoyre (Conservative Party) is to lift itself toward future elections, it will not be under my leadership,” Solberg told reporters. “I have therefore asked the central board to call a national meeting in 2026, and at that meeting, Hoyre will choose a new leadership.”

The announcement follows the party receiving 14.6% of the vote in the parliamentary election, down 5.7 points from the previous election, marking one of Hoyre’s weakest results in recent years. “That is something both we and I must take responsibility for,” Solberg said, adding that she will continue to lead until the February congress.

Solberg, 63, has led Hoyre since 2004 and served as Norway’s prime minister from 2013 to 2021, the country’s second-longest tenure. She highlighted her government’s eight years in office as a career achievement, stating, “I am, of course, most proud that we managed to build a conservative coalition and implement policies for eight years.”

Party members described the announcement as “sad and emotional.” Unge Hoyre leader Ola Svenneby commented that Solberg would be remembered as “one of the most important people in the party’s history.”

MENAFN14092025000045017281ID1110058247