The Christian right-wing party Conservative (Konservativt) is now advocating the deportation of criminal immigrants from Norway. At the forefront are rapists and murderers.
The resolution was adopted at Konservativt’s national convention last weekend. The initiative came from the youth wing, which succeeded in making remigration an official party line.
The party now seeks to return three groups of immigrants: criminals, those who exploit welfare benefits, and all without legal residence. The resolution specifically mentions “rapists, murderers, individuals who constitute a terror threat, and others who break Norwegian law”.
– No right to commit offences
The deputy leader of Conservative Youth (Unge Konservative), Matias Garnes, has a clear message to criminals of foreign background:
– When one comes as a guest to a country and is given work or protection, one has no right to commit a certain number of offences, simply because they are not very serious, he says to Dagen.
He believes that, in principle, all immigrants who commit crime should be liable to expulsion, and wants a lower threshold for deportation than under the current regulations. For those who cannot be returned to their country of origin, Konservativt will enter into incarceration agreements with third countries.
Remigration is a flagship issue for several European right-wing parties, but has been taboo in Norwegian politics. The Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet), which otherwise distinguishes itself with a strict immigration policy, has actively distanced itself from the term.
Until now, only the Norway Democrats (Norgesdemokratene) has had remigration as adopted policy in Norway. Garnes rejects that they have been inspired by that party.
– We have noted that they are also concerned with remigration. There are probably different definitions of the concept across different parties, he says.
Invited to conference
Norgesdemokratene congratulated Konservativt when the decision became known, and invited the board of Conservative Youth to the Remigration Conference in June. Garnes says they appreciate the invitation, but that participation has not been decided.
Immigration is one of the most important issues for the youth wing, according to the deputy leader—second only to family and pro-life policy. He believes the party can attract voters with the new line.
– It is a good policy that will safeguard trust and security in Norway, says Garnes.