Sture Pedersen, the mayor of Bø in Vesterålen, has publicly declared his support for Ine Eriksen Søreide as a leader, despite acknowledging that the recent revelations surrounding her could pose trust problems for her and the Høyre party. At the national conference of Høyre held at Gardermoen, Pedersen stated that while there have been discussions about potential alternatives to Søreide, he has no other candidates to propose and fully supports her leadership.

Furthermore, Pedersen raised concerns regarding the population decline in Northern Norway, stating that it is imperative to attract more residents to the area. He has suggested policy measures such as lowering taxes and abolishing VAT to make the region more appealing for settlement. His remarks come in the wake of controversies surrounding Søreide, particularly her connections to individuals facing corruption allegations, which could undermine public confidence in her leadership.

The implications of this situation are significant, as trust is a cornerstone of political leadership, especially for a party like Høyre that is navigating complex issues in Norwegian society. The revelations about Søreide's ties to Mona Juul and Terje Rød-Larsen, along with the potential challenges she faces regarding her credibility, could have lasting effects on her leadership and the party's future direction in addressing critical issues such as population growth and integrity in governance.