Hilde Alice Vågslid set to become Telemark deputy county mayor

Hilde Alice Vågslid is expected to become Telemark’s new deputy county mayor after the Telemark Labour Party leadership proposed her for the position on Wednesday, NRK reports.

Vågslid was also proposed as acting leader of the Labour Party group in the county council. The proposals followed a meeting lasting more than two hours.

“We have focused on finding a solution that provides stability, continuity and clear political leadership,” said Odin Adelsten Bohmann, leader of the Telemark Labour Party.

The party is reshuffling its leadership after it emerged last Friday that county mayor Sven Tore Løkslid had applied for leave from his position. Løkslid had an intimate relationship with fellow party member and group leader Martine Tinderholt Øverland, and both had lied about the secret relationship.

Both Løkslid and Øverland went on sick leave after the case was revealed by the local newspaper Varden. Bohmann told NRK that the party had not reached a decision on Øverland’s future as a Labour politician.

Asked whether Øverland could return as group leader, Bohmann said he did not want to speculate and referred to her sick leave.

Vågslid’s proposals will be considered at a Telemark Labour Party meeting on Sunday. The county council will formally elect the new deputy county mayor.

“These are not circumstances anyone would have wanted, and I have great respect for the seriousness of what has happened. If the party wants me to take on these responsibilities, I am ready,” said Vågslid.

The 60-year-old currently chairs Telemark County Municipality’s main committee for culture, tourism and voluntary work. If she becomes deputy county mayor, the Labour Party will also have to find a new committee chair.

Vågslid is the mother of Children and Family Minister Lene Vågslid and has previously served as mayor of Tokke.