Norwegian pro-Russian party “FOR” gets dismantled on live TV – reveals secret campaign donor (English summary in the comments, including links to articles)

13 comments

1. **English summary of last nights “Debatten” episode:**

   Last night, NRK aired a live episode of *Debatten (The Debate),* one of Norway’s most prominent political talk shows.

   Broadcasted weekly by the national public broadcaster, *Debatten* is known for tackling current and often controversial issues in front of a live audience, featuring direct questioning and high-profile guests from politics, academia, and civil society. Hosted by Fredrik Solvang, the program is widely regarded as a key arena for political debate — where arguments are either sharpened or fall apart under pressure.

   The May 20 episode focused on the controversial political party *Fred og rettferdighet* (FOR) (translated to Peace and Justice) and their recent anti-Ukraine ad campaign, which had appeared throughout the Oslo subway system. During the broadcast, party leader Marielle Leraand revealed that the campaign was financed by Norwegian businessman Atle Berge.

   Berge, a Norwegian billionaire and founder of the company Ølen Betong (which he no longer owns), currently lives in Murmansk, Russia, where he runs a business employing around 50 people. He has significant business interests in Russia and has expressed strong support for closer relations between Norway, Russia, and China. In an email to NRK, Berge confirmed that he had contributed a large sum to FOR’s campaign — and that he plans to donate more. He stated that he supports the party’s call for peace negotiations instead of continued military support for Ukraine. Following the revelation, Ølen Betong publicly distanced itself from Berge, stating it has no connection to him or any activity in Russia.

   Representing FOR were Leraand and political science professor Glenn Diesen. They defended the campaign, which was met with strong and direct opposition from Ine Eriksen Søreide, the Conservative Party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Søreide not only called the party “useful idiots for the Kremlin” but also systematically dismantled their claims, pointing out that many of their core arguments “simply weren’t true.”

   Also present was Ukraine activist Erik Schreiner Evans, who had previously taken part in removing some of FOR’s posters from the Oslo metro, calling them harmful propaganda. On air, he harshly criticized the party and questioned NRK’s decision to give them a national platform.

   The panel also included Åge Storm Borchgrevink, author and senior adviser at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, who contributed insight into authoritarian propaganda and Russian influence operations. In addition, professor Sven G. Holtsmark from the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies offered historical and geopolitical context, warning that FOR’s rhetoric closely mirrored Russian disinformation strategies.

   As for FOR’s own arguments — much of what was presented had little basis in fact and clearly echoed Kremlin-aligned narratives. Rather than building credibility, the party’s performance exposed the fragility of its position. Many Norwegians have since taken to social media to describe the episode as one of the most embarrassing moments ever aired on live Norwegian television in modern times — a moment that not only discredited FOR but also reignited public concern about the spread of foreign-influenced messaging in democratic discourse.

2. **Links to different articles concerning the topic and “The Debate” episode:**

   “The Debate” episode: [https://tv.nrk.no/serie/debatten/sesong/202505/episode/NNFA51052025](https://tv.nrk.no/serie/debatten/sesong/202505/episode/NNFA51052025)

   NRK – FOR leader claims this is the man who funded the controversial campaign: [https://www.nrk.no/norge/for-partileiaren_-hevdar-at-dette-er-mannen-som-betalte-for-den-omstridde-partikampanjen-1.17425503](https://www.nrk.no/norge/for-partileiaren_-hevdar-at-dette-er-mannen-som-betalte-for-den-omstridde-partikampanjen-1.17425503)

   VG – Writing about last nights debate: [https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/8qMjzG/vg-kommentar-fred-og-rettferdighet](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/8qMjzG/vg-kommentar-fred-og-rettferdighet)

3. Re-uploaded to show the correct image from “The Debate” broadcast and to avoid confusion.

4. FOR is a bunch of fucking quislings.

5. These people always apart under any kind of real scrutiny. You see it all the time.

   They depend on tiktok and flooding the zone and seeing what sticks. 

   They get dismantled once the spotlight it on them. Crumble like toilet paper.

6. Sweden has its share of organizations that come out of the woodwork to criticize anything that strengthens Swedens position vs Russia, usually under a “war bad” banner. Svenska Freds, Plogbillsrörelsen etc. Interestingly, they never have a suggestion on what to do when the bear comes.

   I’d love to see media take these movements on and analyze their funding.

7. FOR is… foreign.

8. Phsycopaths in every sense of the word. They hate the west so much they are willing to commit the most heinous crimes. Fucking Quizlings

9. Now do Reform

10. The rise in foreign meddling (Russia) in other countries affairs is alarming. I do get some of the bad actors doing it purely for monetary reward, but how fuckin stupid are the millions of followers who believe the verbal shite spouted by these nefarious characters. Someone once mentioned that the pinnacle of human intelligence was in the 1980’s and after that time human group intelligence is falling exponentially. When you see the absolute shite that people consume and totally believe in I think they were right.

11. Thats how a healthy society should deal with threats. React quickly, have an educated population see what is happening, and discrediting enemies.

    Not electing them president.

12. Søreide absolutely murdered them, beautiful to see. 

    In the days prior to this people have been tearing down their campaign posters from public transport. Our entire population rejects even a hint of Russian propaganda or sympathy for their regime.

13. I would say that the NRK giving air time to this party was a correct decision given the commerial campaign and turn of events.

    They were completely dismantled as morons. Like the norwegian expression, “expose the troll to sunlight, and it turns to stone”.

    It was both embarassing and necessary.

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