Ropstad acknowledges that he took advantage of the scheme – NRK Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
– I brought Kleenex with me, to put it that way. I shed many tears that day.
This is what Kjell Ingolf Ropstad says about the press conference where he resigned as Minister and party leader in September 2021.
I eat interview with TV pastor Egil Svartdahl, Ropstad opens up about the time when there was a storm around him and the commuter housing cases, which led to him having to resign as party leader, write Our country.
Ropstad admits that he made a big mistake.
– As a politician … so privileged – and yet to want to make even better use of these schemes and really get thin … I should not have done that, he says.
Ropstad is currently a Storting politician for KrF.
Error as a role model
The criticism hailed against Ropstad after kl Aftenposten revealed that during his years as a parliamentary representative, he was registered at home with his parents and therefore received free commuter housing. At the same time, he owned and rented out half of a semi-detached house in Lillestrøm.
In retrospect, Ropstad thinks that the decision to cover himself was completely correct, writes Vårt Land.
– Yes. I mean that. At least then. I was party leader, minister. I was one of the most powerful in the country. Then I must be a better role model, he says.
– I made a mistake, and I had to take the consequence of that. And actually, it’s a little good to be able to take the consequences occasionally, even if it was very awkward. I’m actually pretty sure it was right.
Tough strain for the family
Ropstad also says that the housing case was a strain on the family, write Our country.
– Because I have had these positions, they are much more exposed. Things like this they would have let go if I had not had that position.
Ropstad further says that he did not have time to talk so much with all the siblings, but with his wife he had full support.
In the TV-Inter program, he does not answer the question of whether it can end badly to resign.
– I said that if I have to go, the media queue will probably calm down. She probably thought about getting family life going. With all the challenges that lay ahead, every day would be a little better when I had to leave, he says.