Youth party leaders face fierce debate at Arendalsuka

Youth party leaders will face what is regarded as the year’s toughest political debate for young leaders at Arendalsuka, a political event in Arendal, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, NRK reports. Six of the nine leaders will take part in the contest for the first time.

“Those who are not nervous do not care enough. You should be a little nervous when you take this seriously,” said Gaute Børstad Skjervø, leader of the Workers’ Youth League.

The nine participants are Skjervø, Nicolai Østeby of Young Conservatives, Lars Barstad Løvold of the Progress Party’s Youth, Sara Ude Hasle of the Socialist Youth, Omar Svendsen-Yagci of the Young Liberals, Ingrid Olina Hovland of the Young Christian Democrats, Nils Forren of the Centre Youth, Henriette Sjursen-Eriksen of the Young Greens and Alexandra Øhrn Fredwall of the Red Youth.

Close to their biggest rivals

Although the debate is expected to be heated, the leaders say their demanding schedule has strengthened their relationships across party lines.

“I definitely meet the other youth party leaders more often than I meet my family,” said Young Liberal leader Omar Svendsen-Yagci, who is taking part in the debate at Arendalsuka for the second year.

He said the atmosphere between the parties was surprisingly good.

“My friends outside politics are shocked when they see us hugging and enjoying ourselves after arguing with one another. It may look as if we hate each other in debates, but we are good colleagues,” he said.

Criticism of the political gathering

Not everyone is enthusiastic about all aspects of Arendalsuka, even though the leaders are looking forward to the debate.

“Arendalsuka is a bit like what some people have called it: a circle jerk for the political elite,” said Red Youth leader Alexandra Øhrn Fredwall.

She said it felt staged to walk down the street and encounter Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre around every corner. However, she was looking forward to the youth party leaders’ debate, she said, receiving support from Socialist Youth leader Sara Ude Hasle.

Abuse and a harsh debate climate

The leaders said life as a young national politician also has a darker side, with abuse and an unpleasant debate climate, particularly on TikTok and in comment sections.

“You quickly hear about it if you do not fit the mould. I often get comments such as ‘go back to where you came from’ or that I am a ‘svarting’,” said Svendsen-Yagci, using a racist term.

He said he took comfort in being proud to be Norwegian and wanting to improve society, but added that abuse was poisonous to democracy.

Young Greens leader Henriette Sjursen-Eriksen said anonymity made it easier for people to use offensive language online.

“It is easier to call people ugly things when you are sitting behind a keyboard. When we go door to door during elections, we never encounter the abuse we see online. We must focus on real meetings between people,” she said.

Fredwall said hatred particularly affected minorities and transgender people in the current political climate.

“It has become tougher to be a young politician today. When the debate climate becomes more hostile, fewer young people dare to get involved, and we must take that seriously,” she said.

Ready for the contest

As the debate approached, the leaders put friendships and online comments aside to focus on reaching the audience and persuading young voters.

“Today’s young generation is extremely tough and courageous. They do not accept abuse or injustice,” Skjervø said as he made his final preparations.