Norwegian Christian politician steps down after Ukraine statements

It all started with a Facebook post from Hovind on March 8th. In that post, Hovind shared his analysis of the Russo-Ukrainian war. According to him, Russia is pushed into a corner, the West deserved Russia's distrust, and Ukraine is a Western puppet regime. He also commented on the Western distribution of arms to Ukraine, saying that it "has little military utility and is yet another strategy to create a bloodbath to gain sympathy".

In a comment on the post, Trøndelag KrF county leader Geirmund Lykke said that Hovind "needs to clarify his views on Ukraine's right to make its own choices."

Now, Hovind writes in a new Facebook post that he has concluded to resign because "I experience cooperation problems with the county leader. He wants me to fulfil his demands to either censor myself or withdraw." According to Hovind, the reaction of Lykke feels strange. "That the leader of Trøndelag KrF's first reaction to my previous Facebook post was to ask me to censor and remove perspectives contrary to his personal view feels awkward."

At the same time, Hovind admits that the post that started it all "is sharp, and there are words here that I should not have used". But the purpose "was to discuss and find solutions for peace", he asserts.

Contrast

In the Christian Norwegian daily Vårt Land, Geirmund Lykke reacts to Hovind's statement. He says that he indeed had asked Hovind to reformulate his Facebook post to be able to keep his position as a second deputy. "The background was that his post is in sharp contrast to what the party seeks to convey about the conflict."

According to the county leader, Hovind's statements created reactions from voters and other members. Earlier, party leader Olaug Bollestad distanced herself from the comments as well. According to her, these statements do not reflect KrF policy.

Lykke says that, in the Trøndelag KrF: "We have room for different opinions within the party. However, it is also important for me to take leadership responsibility and set a limit."

In this autumn's election, Daniel Myhren Hovind was KrF's third candidate in the Sør- and Trøndelag constituency. He says that he will continue in his other positions for the party.

Naive

On Thursday, the national branch of the KrF party clashed with Justice minister Emilie Enger Mehl. Although Mehl said that ordinary Norwegians should not travel to Poland to pick up refugees themselves, KrF party leader Bollestad said people should decide for themselves. "These people are the key to success", Bollestad says to Vårt Land. According to her, the Norwegian government should use their commitment to work on a sustainable solution for the refugees.

However, Justice minister Mehl thinks that the KrF is naive about helping the refugees. "We need to have a responsible approach to the crisis and dialogue with other countries."