Liberal Left leader steps down

Lars Sponheim. Photo: Aftenposten.

Following the poor results for his party at Monday’s elections, leader of the Liberal Left (Venstre), Lars Sponheim announced that he would take responsibility and step down next spring.

Sponheim said he would resign at Venstre’s national convention next year, but that he would continue to work for the party.

Sponheim also lost his own seat in Parliament. The Liberals got less than 4 percent of the vote and therefore not enough to win representation in parliament.

Political commentators suggested that Sponheim and the Liberals lost votes to a resurgent Conservative Party (Høyre). Voters who had the environment at the top of their agendas voted for the Socialist Left instead of the Liberals.

Source: NRK / Aftenposten