Lawmakers slam decision by city in southern Norway to only take in Ukrainian refugees and not others
Lawmakers in Norway have slammed a decision this week by a southern city to only take in Ukrainian refugees and not others, claiming they'll integrate easier into the society
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Lawmakers in Norway have slammed a decision this week by the local council in a southern city to only take in Ukrainian refugees and not others, claiming they will be easier to integrate in the society.
The government and the opposition have also said they consider the decision by the council in Drammen to be in violation of Norwegian laws. Up to a third of the population of Drammen are immigrant or have an immigrant background.
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who heads a center-left government, condemned Tuesday's decision by Drammen and said that Norway’s 357 municipalities cannot decide for themselves which refugees they accept — only how many they can take in.
Such a decision is “not legal,” said Gahr Støre.
The local county governor's office has asked the municipality's head to explain Drammen's statement by Feb. 28 after which a final decision will be made.
On Tuesday evening, the right-leaning local municipal council in Drammen, southwest of the capital of Oslo, decided in a 29-28 vote to only accept Ukrainian refugees.
“We are fully aware that we are challenging current practice and we are testing some limits for what we as municipal politicians have the opportunity to influence," the statement from the council said, according to the Norwegian newspaper VG wrote.
Simon Nordanger, from the opposition Center party, reported the decision to police on Wednesday, alleging it violates the law and the constitution.
“How can you treat people and open up to sorting people that way,” Nordanger told Norwegian
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