Øystein Hedstrøm
Encyclopedia
Øystein Hedstrøm is a Norwegian politician. He was a Member of Parliament from Østfold
for the Progress Party
from 1989 to 2005, after which he declined renomination.
, Norway
to workshop owner Åge Willem Hedstrøm (born 1923) from Värmland
, Sweden
and Astri Thue (born 1921). He is educated a dentist
by profession, and is married to cosmetologist
Britt Huseby who he met at a TV Norge dating show called Reisesjekken in 1993. Hedstrøm was in his political career notably characterised by his comb over
hair style, and according to a later commentator it even became the "symbol" of the more extreme faction of the Progress Party. In 2007 however, he went to Sweden
and had a hair transplant
, and accordingly "no longer have the typical comb over" as he commented.
) already in its founding year of 1973. Before joining Anders Lange's Party, he had been a member of the Young Conservatives
. Hedstrøm was a Member of Parliament from Østfold
from 1989 to 2005, and was one of the most profiled, and controversial, Progress Party politicians during the 1990s
.
In 1995, Hedstrøm was behind an infamous proposal in parliament, the so-called "immigration account" known as "Document nr. 8:29" (Dokument nr. 8:29). The proposal called for a study by the government on the costs of the asylum, refugee and immigration policy, in addition to demanding the presentation of a parliamentary message about the "long-term consequences and effects on Norwegian society by the growing number of immigrants with a different and foreign culture". It later became known that Hedstrøm had received assistance from a member of the Norwegian League for the document. By May 1995, the 24-page document had been printed in 2,500 copies.
Being noted for his tough stance on immigration, controversy erupted when he was revealed to have held a speech at the 1995 Norwegian League meeting at Godlia kino
, resulting in Hedstrøm being stripped of his position as Spokesperson of Immigration Issues for the party. Hedstrøm later said that he felt he had made two mistakes at the meeting; the first to have held a speech, and the second to not have left when he saw who was present there.
After this controversy, he received competition for his candidacy in the nomination for the 1997 election
in Østfold
. In the end, he won 63-29 against the rather unknown Vigdis Giltun
(who was favoured by the nomination committee), and to what was called an "absolute rarity" in Norwegian politics, even a group of pro-Hedstrøm demonstrators showed up outside the nomination meeting, displaying his strong grassroots support.
In 1999 Hedstrøm and his close party colleague Vidar Kleppe
arranged several "talk show
s" or public meetings critical of immigration, popularly known as the "Hedstrøm & Kleppe Show".
The Østfold chapter of the party had before the 2001 election
expressed that they did not want Hedstrøm running as a candidate for the county. But even with the ongoing exclution of several controversial Progress Party politicians, he remained in the party, won the nomination for Østfold and was elected to parliament for his fourth term. It has been noted that the support for the Progress Party in Østfold in 2002 was more than 10% higher than the national average. In 2004, he however announced that he would not run for reelection.
In 1995 he was criticised by some for drawing lines between Samis
and immigrants. Hedstrøm criticised the governmental granting of special rights to Samis (in this case concerning reindeerherding, which was also opposed by the Centre, Liberal, Conservative and Progress Party) but also criticised that also immigrants by this in a similar manner could demand special rights in the future. He maintained that the Progress Party rejected any demands of special treatment based on ethnicity.
Østfold
is a county in southeastern Norway, bordering Akershus and southwestern Sweden , while Buskerud and Vestfold is on the other side of the bay. The seat of the county administration is Sarpsborg, and Fredrikstad is the largest city.Many manufacturing facilities are situated here. Moss and...
for the Progress Party
Progress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
from 1989 to 2005, after which he declined renomination.
Early and personal life
Hedstrøm was born in MossMoss, Norway
is a coastal city and a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Moss. The city of Moss was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
to workshop owner Åge Willem Hedstrøm (born 1923) from Värmland
Värmland
' is a historical province or landskap in the west of middle Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Dalsland, Dalarna, Västmanland and Närke. It is also bounded by Norway in the west. Latin name versions are Vermelandia and Wermelandia. Although the province's land originally was Götaland, the...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Astri Thue (born 1921). He is educated a dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
by profession, and is married to cosmetologist
Cosmetology
Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....
Britt Huseby who he met at a TV Norge dating show called Reisesjekken in 1993. Hedstrøm was in his political career notably characterised by his comb over
Comb over
A comb over or combover is a hairstyle worn by bald or balding men in which the hair on one side of the head is grown long and then combed over the bald area to minimize the display of baldness. A variation of the comb over where baldness is concealed by long hair combed in three separate...
hair style, and according to a later commentator it even became the "symbol" of the more extreme faction of the Progress Party. In 2007 however, he went to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and had a hair transplant
Hair transplantation
Hair transplantation is a surgical technique that involves moving individual hair follicles from one part of the body to bald or balding parts . It is primarily used to treat male pattern baldness. It this case, grafts containing hair follicles that are genetically resistant to balding are...
, and accordingly "no longer have the typical comb over" as he commented.
Political career
Hedstrøm joined Anders Lange's Party (which later became the current Progress PartyProgress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
) already in its founding year of 1973. Before joining Anders Lange's Party, he had been a member of the Young Conservatives
Norwegian Young Conservatives
Norwegian Young Conservatives is a Norwegian youth party. Its ideology is liberal conservatism, and the party is in many ways more liberal than its mother party, Conservative Party of Norway. Henrik Asheim succeeded Torbjørn Røe Isaksen as leader in 2008.- Leaders :...
. Hedstrøm was a Member of Parliament from Østfold
Østfold
is a county in southeastern Norway, bordering Akershus and southwestern Sweden , while Buskerud and Vestfold is on the other side of the bay. The seat of the county administration is Sarpsborg, and Fredrikstad is the largest city.Many manufacturing facilities are situated here. Moss and...
from 1989 to 2005, and was one of the most profiled, and controversial, Progress Party politicians during the 1990s
1990s
File:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
.
In 1995, Hedstrøm was behind an infamous proposal in parliament, the so-called "immigration account" known as "Document nr. 8:29" (Dokument nr. 8:29). The proposal called for a study by the government on the costs of the asylum, refugee and immigration policy, in addition to demanding the presentation of a parliamentary message about the "long-term consequences and effects on Norwegian society by the growing number of immigrants with a different and foreign culture". It later became known that Hedstrøm had received assistance from a member of the Norwegian League for the document. By May 1995, the 24-page document had been printed in 2,500 copies.
Being noted for his tough stance on immigration, controversy erupted when he was revealed to have held a speech at the 1995 Norwegian League meeting at Godlia kino
1995 Norwegian League meeting at Godlia kino
The 1995 Norwegian Association meeting at Godlia kino was a meeting that was held on 2 September 1995, right before the electoral campaign for the 1995 local elections...
, resulting in Hedstrøm being stripped of his position as Spokesperson of Immigration Issues for the party. Hedstrøm later said that he felt he had made two mistakes at the meeting; the first to have held a speech, and the second to not have left when he saw who was present there.
After this controversy, he received competition for his candidacy in the nomination for the 1997 election
Norwegian parliamentary election, 1997
A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on 15 September 1997. Before the election, Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland of the Labour Party, issued the 36.9 ultimatum declaring that the government would step down unless it gained 36.9% of the vote, the percentage gained...
in Østfold
Østfold
is a county in southeastern Norway, bordering Akershus and southwestern Sweden , while Buskerud and Vestfold is on the other side of the bay. The seat of the county administration is Sarpsborg, and Fredrikstad is the largest city.Many manufacturing facilities are situated here. Moss and...
. In the end, he won 63-29 against the rather unknown Vigdis Giltun
Vigdis Giltun
Vigdis Karen Giltun is a Norwegian politician for the Progress Party.She was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Østfold in 2005....
(who was favoured by the nomination committee), and to what was called an "absolute rarity" in Norwegian politics, even a group of pro-Hedstrøm demonstrators showed up outside the nomination meeting, displaying his strong grassroots support.
In 1999 Hedstrøm and his close party colleague Vidar Kleppe
Vidar Kleppe
Vidar Sveinung Kleppe is a Norwegian politician. He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Progress Party until being suspended and left the party in 2001...
arranged several "talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
s" or public meetings critical of immigration, popularly known as the "Hedstrøm & Kleppe Show".
The Østfold chapter of the party had before the 2001 election
Norwegian parliamentary election, 2001
A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on September 10, 2001. The Labour Party won a plurality of votes and seats, closely followed by the Conservative Party...
expressed that they did not want Hedstrøm running as a candidate for the county. But even with the ongoing exclution of several controversial Progress Party politicians, he remained in the party, won the nomination for Østfold and was elected to parliament for his fourth term. It has been noted that the support for the Progress Party in Østfold in 2002 was more than 10% higher than the national average. In 2004, he however announced that he would not run for reelection.
Political views
In parliament, Hedstrøm was known as a strong critic of the governmental immigration policy, and his statements on the matter garnered both popular praise as well as criticism.In 1995 he was criticised by some for drawing lines between Samis
Sami people
The Sami people, also spelled Sámi, or Saami, are the arctic indigenous people inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Kola Peninsula of Russia, and the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway. The Sámi are Europe’s northernmost...
and immigrants. Hedstrøm criticised the governmental granting of special rights to Samis (in this case concerning reindeerherding, which was also opposed by the Centre, Liberal, Conservative and Progress Party) but also criticised that also immigrants by this in a similar manner could demand special rights in the future. He maintained that the Progress Party rejected any demands of special treatment based on ethnicity.