Hareide opens to stay as leader of Christian People's Party despite defeat

At the extraordinary national meeting on Friday, Knut Arild Hareide endangered the leadership of his party. He had proposed to withdraw his support for the conservative government of Erna Solberg and instead try to form a government with the Social Democratic Labor Party. If the members opposed the proposal, he would resign.

A majority of KRF MPs opposed Hareide and voted for the party that is today a government support party, seeking instead to get a seat in the government. During a televised debate during the evening, the party's deputy leader, Kjell Ingolf Ropstad, announced that he wanted three ministerial positions.

Ropstad has been designated as a natural successor to Hareide. At the same time, Hareide's parents commented on the departure of the Norwegian media and the Prime Minister thanked his political act. Saturday night, however, a new message came.

Knut Arild Hareide tells the NRK that he remains as party leader if negotiations with the government fail.

"Yes, if they give nothing, it is natural that I conduct investigations that could be passed on to other parties," he says, adding that the chances are low.

"But now I respect the choice the party has made and I hope we will succeed," said Hareide, who had preferred a left.

The government today understands the conservative right, the right-wing Progress party and the liberal left. For many members of the Christian People's Party, it is controversial to be part of the same government as the Party of Progress.

Read more: The Christian People's Party wants three ministerial posts