**Rud Pedersen Norway is a leading consultancy in public affairs, strategic communications, and PR. We assist both Norwegian and international clients in addressing their most critical business challenges by effectively navigating Norway's political, regulatory, and social landscape.**

We work with clients across a wide range of sectors but have particularly strong expertise in **healthcare, defence, energy and sustainability, infrastructure and transport, industry, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and finance**. Our integrated approach to advocacy and communications ensures that our clients' voices are heard where they have the greatest influence.

With our extensive experience and deep industry knowledge, we provide solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including political advocacy, risk assessments, crisis management, market access, procurement, political analysis, media monitoring, stakeholder mapping, coalition building, PR, reputation management, and strategic communications.

Norwegian experts, European impact

Kristian Hvilen

Ann-Kathrin Årøen

Ånen Ringard

Kjetil Skogrand

Pål Arne Davidsen

Get in touch

**Rud Pedersen Public Affairs Norway**
[Dronningens gate 13,
0152 Oslo](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XoBrznd9DAp947up9)

**Managing Partner:
Kristian Hvilen** [kristian.hvilen@rudpedersen.com](mailto:kristian.hvilen@rudpedersen.com)

Visit Us

Visit website

For more information about our services, team, and expertise, visit our Norwegian site. Learn how we can help you navigate the Norwegian and Nordic political landscape.

Visit Our Norwegian language website

The major topics are health, defense, energy, sustainability, and technology. For Rud Pedersen, Arendalsuka is an essential tool in our toolkit and a crucial step toward achieving both national and international clients' goals.

Here’s what we do:
**1. Navigate:** Arendalsuka is overwhelming and crowded, often making it difficult for clients to navigate effectively. We have an overview of the debates, helping people connect with the right individuals. We also monitor debates and report back to our clients.
**Engage:** We ensure that our clients present topics and issues that are engaging, current, and relevant to key stakeholders. This involves finding the right perspectives and understanding what the politicians want.
**Positioning:** We develop concepts and tailor events that put topics and issues on the agenda in the right way for our clients. We also participate in our own debates.
**Meetings and Relationship Building:** We ensure that both we and our clients build strong networks through the right timing, messaging, and chemistry. Our RP gathering is magical, with a great atmosphere and very satisfied guests.

Planning for next year’s Arendalsuka is already underway. Reach out to [ann@rudpedersen.com](mailto:ann@rudpedersen.com) or directly to the team lead if this is a good arena for your company.

![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/132232/1024x768/c19084793d/arendalsuka-team-photo-norway.jpg)
*Rud Pedersen Public Affairs team in Arendal 2024*

Arendalsuka 2024 - Norwegian Political Festival

*By [Olav Vaksvik Hansen](/rud-pedersen/en/contact/norway/olav-vaksvik-hansen), Analyst, Rud Pedersen Public Affairs Norway
Article first appears in [KOM24](https://www.kom24.no/1205241-meninger-naeringsliv/naeringslivsledere-er-for-passive/715324), 12-05-2024, translated here 16-05-2024.*

In November 2022, NHO, Virke, Finans Norge and the Shipping Association conducted a survey among their members. 

The result was startling; 80% of the members believed that the government pursued policies which takes into account the needs of companies to a very small or minor extent. If we look at today's election polls, there is little indication that the picture has improved. 

The interaction between business and the state is of great importance when it comes to innovation and value creation. 

The state essentially lays down both the guidelines and the rules of the game that the business world must comply with. This topic was raised once again at the annual conference of NHO earlier this year.

Today's conditions do not seem to be satisfactory for the industry. 

If businesses want to influence the authorities to change course, they must play a greater role and actively contribute to change. With the need for fair and predictable framework conditions, there are definitely big gains to be made. 

It is possible that the business world, through membership in interest organisations, will think that they are already using the mouthpieces they have. 

However, organisations have many considerations to attend to. What tools do business leaders have at their disposal if they want to contribute actively to the design of future policy? 

**POLITICALLY AWARE LEADERS WIN**
In the coming time, political parties will be busy shaping their party programs which will form the basis for the election campaign in 2025. This is an important phase where stakeholders have the opportunity to influence the parties' future policies. 

Businesses are therefore faced with a unique opportunity to promote their views. With the dissatisfaction we see, it is legitimate to ask whether the business world has really made use of the opportunities to influence to a large enough extent in the past. 

When the party programs have been drawn up, the cards are distributed. It is therefore crucial that politically aware leaders use the opportunity and voice their views before the program work is completed. 

When the election results are clear and government negotiations begin, the game has already been set. 

During the negotiations, the parties will fight for core issues from their own program and there are many considerations that are assessed against each other. 

That is why input into the program process is incredibly important, because all the issues raised will be part of the toolbox during the election campaign and in the negotiations. 

**CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT?**
Today's governing parties do poorly in the polls and it would be surprising if they regained public trust in 2025.

Who occupies the government offices after the election may be decisive for business, but there are opportunities to spread the risk.

Several possible constellations open up towards 2025.

The Conservative Party has traditionally taken the role of the unifying party on the bourgeois side.

The Frp, for its part, will mainly wish to cooperate only with the Conservative Party. The Liberal Party will have similar reservations against a collaboration with the Frp. A significant factor of uncertainty for a unified bourgeois government is the KrF's ability to cross the blocking border.

At the same time, it may appear that a bourgeois majority government will not be dependent on KrF. We can also envision a minority government. This would probably be ideal for both Frp and Venstre, as they can fight their battles openly in Parliament instead of in closed negotiations within the government.

The barrier limit can also become an important factor on the red-green side where the MDG is on the verge.

The Labor Party and the Center Party are struggling, while SV and Rødt can boast solid polls. It would be very surprising to see the current government emerge victorious from next year's election, but we should still not underestimate the red-greens' ability to rally to what could be a broad majority government in 2025.

During the 2017 election, we saw a similar situation.

The bourgeois government was condemned to death - but still won, then with a new constellation.

It is by no means inconceivable that we can now have a red-green rerun, but that the current government constellation with only Ap and Sp will last is extremely unlikely.

**HIT WIDE AND START NOW**
The election result will determine which constellations may become relevant, but if the business community wants a say in the team, they must put in the effort already now. 

Whether there will be a bourgeois or red-green government is highly uncertain, and it may be more even than many think. 

If the actors in the business sector desire predictability, better framework conditions, and stability, this necessitates broad political engagement.  

Diversifying engagement across political parties will also contribute to understanding and knowledge of current issues and needs. There is much to gain here, but businesses must understand the value of a more active approach and actually utilize the opportunities already available.  

Politically aware leadership creates competitive advantages in business strategy – but it requires targeted and immediate action.

---------
At Rud Pedersen, we excel in bridging the gap between business and politics. Our expertise ensures that businesses seeking stability and growth find tailored solutions here. Through our extensive knowledge of the political landscape, we offer insights that drive tangible results. At Rud Pedersen, we don't just understand challenges; we turn them into opportunities for success. Join us in shaping a prosperous future for your business.

Business leaders are too passive

There are many factors that could affect the political fall of 2023. The next months will be dominated by the local elections, the inflation crisis and energy issues, which the Government have prioritized tackling. Municipal and county council elections will be held on 11 September, and it will be important for the governing parties to do well. If they succeed in September, it could be used to reverse the negative spiral they're in. The Parliament will convene and be constituted on 2 October, with a formal opening on 3 October and the national budget for 2024 is scheduled to be presented on Friday, October 6.

During this fall and early next year, the Norwegian government will develop a new, comprehensive Long-Term Defence Plan that will guide the development of the Norwegian Armed Forces for the coming years. The government is aiming for a broad political agreement for strengthening the Norwegian Armed Forces in light of increased international tension and the war in Ukraine. The plan is of great significance for our defence clients, and we are working systematically to convey their views to stakeholders. 

Extreme rainfalls in August created flooding and widespread destruction of infrastructure in Norway, with houses, bridges, railways, and roads being washed away. The incident has sparked off a more intense debate in Norway on the effects of climate change and the need to reduce emissions and adapt to harsher weather conditions. This is of relevance for both our energy clients and clients in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

These issues and milestones create a range of issues and opportunities for our clients. With our strong team of policy and public affairs experts, we are perfectly placed to support our existing and new clients in navigating and understanding the landscape - and making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

We are a leading European consultancy specialising in Public Affairs

Rud Pedersen

Get in Touch

Norway

Norwegian experts, European impact

Get in touch

Visit Us

Visit Our Norwegian language website

News & Insights

Arendalsuka 2024 - Norwegian Political Festival

Business leaders are too passive

RPPA Norway 2023

Arendalsuka 2024 - Norwegian Political Festival

Business leaders are too passive

RPPA Norway 2023