Labour Party selects Svein Atle Somby as candidate for Sámi Parliament presidency in Tromsø

During the recent Sami political conference in Tromsø, the Labour Party (Ap) selected Svein Atle Somby, the mayor of Karasjok, as its new candidate for the presidency of the Sámi Parliament. Somby has been a vocal advocate for recognizing the rights of the Sámi people to own land and water in Karasjok, although a ruling from the Supreme Court was not in his favor. Despite this setback, he remains determined to pursue the issue in the land-use court.

Somby believes that the areas traditionally inhabited by the Sámi should be governed by them, asserting their historical presence and rights.

A key divergence within the Labour Party lies in its approach to Sami policies versus national policies, particularly regarding the electrification of the Melkøya gas facility in Hammerfest and the development of wind energy in northern Norway. Following a year of governmental leadership by the Labour Party, plans for electrifying the gas facility were introduced, which is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

However, Somby has expressed strong opposition to these developments, asserting that the Sami political agenda acts independently to prioritize the needs and rights of the Sami people. He emphasizes that there is no current necessity to electrify the Melkøya facility and calls for more time to consider alternative solutions.

The Labour Party’s secretary, Kjersti Stenseng, acknowledges the distinct nature of Sami policies while also recognizing the potential for conflict between local Sami interests and central party policies. Participating in the conference, Sigurd Kvammen Rafaelsen, a representative from Finnmark, expressed optimism about balancing energy development with Sami livelihoods, highlighting previous successes in both areas.