Editorials

The biggest elephant of them all

As the war in Ukraine threatens to escalate further, the world’s largest subsea gas pipeline network, which supplies Europe with Norwegian gas, lies virtually unprotected in the North Sea. Sabotage of this network would shake Europe. This truly enormous elephant is the one nobody wants to talk about. But if tensions over Ukraine increase, an attack on Norwegian infrastructure in the North Sea – and thus on Europe’s energy supply – would have to be regarded not merely as a possibility, but as likely.

God Bless Our Good King

Modern Norwegian kings have had very limited powers, but King Harald used what room for manoeuvre he had by making clear that he wanted the revised Constitution to retain the requirement that the King profess the Christian faith. He believed this duty mattered to the country, and he got his way. That is no small achievement, given the spirit of the age. We must therefore pray that King Haakon VIII takes up the legacy of his forefathers.

Anything goes in Trondheim – Except supporting Trump

In Trondheim, one can say without consequence that the Hamas massacres of 7 October 2023 were the most beautiful thing that has happened, but showing support for Trump comes at a price, as Conservative politician Nina Westad has discovered. All the best to her, now that she has experienced what it is like when ‘respectable society’ comes after you for the ultimate sin. Westad would apparently have been better off shouting anti-Jewish slogans or hounding American tourists, members of Bevar Norge or Document journalist Bente Haarstad.

King Harald is dead – The Last King of the Old Norway

King Harald V has died at the age of 89. He was a dutiful king, a warm and humorous man, and a unifying head of state in the nation’s darkest hours. For more than 35 years, he served a Norway undergoing profound demographic, cultural and political change – a different country from the one he inherited in 1991.

Criminal networks infiltrate child welfare services

A recent report has revealed that child welfare services in Buskerud, Vestfold and Telemark have been infiltrated by criminal networks. Police believe this is only the tip of the iceberg. The Minister of Justice is calling for a full investigation. Private child welfare institutions represent a large and tempting stream of public money. They are also recruiting grounds for young people to carry out violent assignments.

Is Pedro Sánchez in Rabat’s pocket? Has he sold out Spain to save his own skin?

The hacker collective Jabaroot claims to possess Pegasus data linked to Pedro Sánchez’s mobile phone. The political implications could be dramatic for Sánchez, the Socialist Party, and Spanish and European politics. As Spain’s prime minister, Sánchez has sent enormous sums to Morocco. Was this protection money; and what about the latest amnesty that opened the gates to Europe?

Norway’s state broadcaster changes its tune on US mail-in voting

Mail-in ballots cause chaos, NRK warned in 2020. But when Trump seeks to tighten mail-in voting rules in 2026, NRK portrays the system as efficient and well organised. Either way, it is Trump’s fault. That is what happens when the state broadcaster relies on ‘US expert’ Eirik Løkke, who writes off the Republicans’ midterm prospects. Just another day at the office for NRK. Will they answer me?

80 per cent of Muslim voters vote for the Social Democrats or the Left Party

The Social Democrats and the Left Party dominate heavily among Muslim voters. According to a new Novus poll the parties receive over 80 per cent of the Muslim vote. At the same time support for the Tidö parties (the current centre-right governing coalition) is very weak, with one exception: the right-wing Sweden Democrats.

Netflix series ‘Blood Sacrifice’: Swedes have become extras in their own country

All cultures are to be allowed to retain their distinct character, except Scandinavians. In the Netflix series ‘Blood Sacrifice’, it is difficult to recognise anything Swedish. ‘What is truly Scandinavian?’ asked the controversial SAS advert. And as I watched this Swedish crime series almost devoid of typical Swedes, one song kept running through my head: ‘Lyckliga gatan finns inte mer.’ (‘Happy Street is there no more.’)

Diversity festival: The New Norway takes over Trondheim

Trønders, and indeed Europeans in general, were few and far between when a festival celebrating diversity was held in Trondheim on Saturday. Cultures from around the world were to be celebrated, and tucked away in a small corner we even found a little stall for Norway. Perhaps what we witnessed in Trondheim on Saturday was a glimpse of the future.