For half a year, yoke conflict has plagued the Harstad city council. The FRP politician was unyielding in demanding a personal apology.

The much-discussed yoke conflict is heating up in Harstad.

During a meeting of the constituent city council in the municipality of Harstad, Frp Party politician Kristian Eilertsen spoke – he asked that his competence be assessed in all cases in which deputy mayor Espen Ludvigsen (Sp) is up for election. Including the election of a new chairman and deputy mayor.

Cause?

He has not received a personal apology.

This case was first discussed by in Harstad And Harstad Time.

– I understand that there is still an ongoing conflict between representatives of Espen Ludvigsen and the undersigned. “According to the media, Ludvigsen should apologize to me personally, at the first opportunity he met me,” Eilertsen told the city council.

– I still haven’t received the apology he told me to accept.

Eilertsen is the Frp’s second candidate for the city council elections in Harstad – and the first candidate for the regional council elections in Tromsø.

– Then I believe there are suitable circumstances to undermine confidence in my impartiality, because the election of the chairman and deputy mayor is a personal choice, Eilertsen told VG.

The conflict became international

The background to the conflict is that Harstad deputy mayor Espen Ludviksen (Sp) this winter frontally attacked Kristian Eilertsen (Frp) in a closed Snapchat group. There he wrote: “Will spend the rest of my life making sure you NEVER rise to any power. Never!”

And further:

“- You’re a cock. You damn ugly”.

Before he concluded with:

“You died before me.”

The case caused a local uproar in Harstad politics, and reached beyond state borders.

See Swedish Aftonbladet: «Big fuss in Norway: “You’re ace – big fans”».

After the case, the city council in Harstad unanimously accepted criticism of the deputy mayor’s outburst.

– When the city council unanimously accepted harsh criticism of Ludviksen earlier this year, I was judged as incompetent. “Therefore, I think it is most appropriate to ask that my competence be assessed because an apology has not yet come from Ludviksen’s side,” Eilertsen said.

Doesn’t like spoon kicks

Eilersen also highlighted an interview conducted by the deputy mayor Harstad Newspapers election night – where he was asked if he thought the chicken case would have made a difference in the outcome of the election.

“At worst, it will work in our favor. “I will never cooperate with the FRP in local politics,” Ludvigsen told the newspaper.

– Until a personal apology is given, my integrity must be assessed, and I assume that also applies to Ludvigsen in the same case, said Eilertsen.

Mayor Kari Anne Opsal (Ap) tried to dampen the city council’s mood following Eilertsen’s tenure.

– Disagreeing is the nature of politics, he said, and reminded that you can show your disagreement by voting for another candidate.

Don’t be disqualified

After a short break, the city council received the legal assessment from city director Torill Skår.

– We cannot see that there are special conditions for the conflict between Eilertsen and Ludvigsen to cause a person to be incompetent according to section six, second paragraph, of the Public Administration Act.

Five people voted that he was incompetent, while 30 people voted in line with the government’s recommendation, and Eilertsen was deemed competent by the city council.

– The city council today thinks that I am not incompetent, but thought otherwise earlier this year. “I don’t think about why the city council doesn’t agree with the city council, but I understand it,” Eilertsen told VG.