Ingvild Kjerkol Steps Down as Trøndelag Labour Party Leader After Stortinget Loss
After five years at the helm, Ingvild Kjerkol has resigned as the leader of the Trøndelag Labour Party. The decision comes following her defeat in the race for the top spot on the party’s Stortinget (Parliament) list during the autumn’s nomination meeting. Bente Estil from Lierne was chosen as the new list leader.
Kjerkol informed the party’s election committee leader, Gunnar Thorsen, of her decision on Thursday. "I’ve told Gunnar to find a unifying leader for Trøndelag Labour Party for the annual meeting in March," Kjerkol told Trønder-Avisa. "My life moving forward will focus less on the Labour Party. Eventually, I’ll find a civilian job, and it’s time for me to step down from the county board."
Kjerkol described her resignation as a natural consequence of losing the Stortinget top spot. "I’ve been elected by the people for 30 years by spring. I don’t want to hold such a central position in the party when I’m re-entering the job market," she said.
The former health minister declined to comment on who should succeed her in Trøndelag Labour Party. The current deputy leaders are Emil Raaen from Trondheim and Amund Hellesø from Rørvik. The party will elect a new leadership at its county annual meeting on March 15.
"Both would have been excellent county leaders, but they should have the chance to speak for themselves about their future plans," Kjerkol said.
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