Youth politicians are uncertain
The results from Monday’s local elections have caused uncertainty
among Bergen’s young and aspiring politicians. The Christian
People’s Party (KrF) turns out to be in a fortunate position
where it is able to decide whether the Conservative Party
(Høyre) or the Labour Party (AP) will dominate the city council.
Several of Bergen’s young politicians reckon that the town’s
permanent inhabitants will notice changes, changes that students
might not notice. Fillip Rygg of the KrF’s youth fraction
(KrFU) hopes there will be a new administration in Bergen
and feels confident KrF will do well in opposition. As far
as students are concerned, he doesn’t feel there will be much
change. -What has the current town council done for students
anyway, Rygg asks critically. From the left-wing it is claimed
that a coalition headed by the conservatives will be unfortunate
for issues concerning the environment and public transport.
Students are skeptical to the EU
While the EU is gaining support on a national level, students
are becoming more skeptical to the union. In 2001, 45 percent
of all pupils and students took a position against the EU.
This figure was up to 49,5 percent in 2002. On the other hand,
opposition among the general public has declined from 44 percent
in 2001 to 41 percent in 2002. Professor and election celebrity
Frank Aarebrot is surprised by this trend among students.
-University students are usually more internationally oriented
than the general public. He feels one point might be the opposition
against globalization promoted by radical students. Also,
the division within the EU on Iraq may be an issue, Aarebrot
says. -For me the EU stands for peace, he continues. Its power
as a counterweight to the US should increase support for the
EU as more people disapprove of the US, Aarebrot concludes.
Arild Borgen, who is head of Bergen’s youth anti-EU movement
says one should stay out of the EU for three reasons: Solidarity,
democracy and care for the environment. Several pro-EU movements
are working to make students more engaged in regards to the
EU question.
ALEXANDER KEMP
17.09.03
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