– I’m being bullied. Exceptions, slander and that were discussed instead of with, the deputy mayor of Drammen, Ståle Srensen (Ap), told Dramamens Tidende.

Sørensen warned Wednesday about the lack of culture in Drammen politics. He said he was afraid to go to work.

In front of Dagbladet, he explains that he brought this up because it’s about more people than himself:

– It’s about how policies are regulated, where ordinary work environment laws are difficult to follow, Sørensen told Dagbladet.

Real problem

Some assert that there is a form of unculture.

Mads Hilden, manager of Drammen Ap, told Drammens Tidende that some people go to great lengths to hang opinions and cases on people and match one another’s motives, also on social media.

“I know some people who have had bad experiences, so it’s clear that this is a real problem,” Hilden told the local newspaper.

– It is important to point out that there are two parallel worlds of political discussion. What’s happening in the halls, where the mayor has the opportunity to control the tone and what’s acceptable, and what’s happening outside where, in the absence of a chairperson, it’s easy to get carried away, Hilden continued.

– There should be the same rules for everyone

Valid for everyone

Speaking to Dagbladet, deputy mayor Srensen specifically pointed out how he was treated on the local MDG team, where he was previously active.

The leader of the MDG group in Drammen, Cathrin Janøy, emphasized that there has been a change of harsh words in Drammen politics, which often focuses on people rather than problems. He said it happened in both the chairman and the city council.

– There is a loud exchange of words and a strong front, and the political arena demands everyone, he told Dagbladet.

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Dealing with behavior

At the same time, the MDGs show that everyone must go for themselves. He said Sørensen himself had contributed to such a culture with his behavior as a politician.

– Everyone is responsible for it. If there’s something you want to do, everyone has to do it themselves, says Janøy.

To that, Sørensen replies that he has a clear conscience for his behavior.

– It’s also not about conflict or individuals, but about systems that don’t deal with people who don’t behave well with others, Sørensen told Dagbladet.

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Gharakhhani: – Sad

Storting President Masud Gharahkhani has previously been the group leader for Ap locally in Drammen.

– I read about the case, and it’s very sad that Ståle went through it like this. This is clear feedback that must be taken seriously, Gharahkhani told Dagbladet.

He said it would be difficult to involve new people if many people experienced it like this.

– I know many politicians unfortunately experience hate speech and incitement on social media, which have become a heavy burden in everyday life, he said.

Go to a private doctor: – No bad conscience

– Very sad

The leader of the far-right at Drammen, Kristin Moe Surlien, described what emerged as anguish and said it should be taken seriously.

– I realize that there is a rather difficult climate of debate and difficult exchange of opinions, but if someone experiences it as bullying and harassment, then it has gone too far. Such unculture should not be allowed to continue, Surlien told Dagbladet.

Surlien says he doesn’t experience culture in local politics as Sørensen describes, but says it’s possible that others do too.

– I don’t know anyone who has experienced this. But we take it seriously when we go out and discuss it at our group meetings. If any of us feel that way, then there’s a low threshold for speaking up, he said.

Mayor: – Firm

Drammen Mayor Monica Myrvold Berg (Ap) says she gets a lot of feedback that being a politician is difficult, not only among colleagues, but also in the media and commentary.

– A person has his own experience, so if these are his feelings, he is right. Then everyone around has a responsibility. I can’t say if that’s true or not, but I’ve worked with representatives on how to treat one another, and this has on several occasions been a topic of training for elected representatives, Berg told Dagbladet.