Ine Eriksen Søreide delivered her first speech as the new leader of Høyre at the party's annual meeting, where she faced questions about her connection to corruption-accused Mona Juul. Amidst scrutiny from the press regarding her friendships, Søreide shared a heartfelt tribute to her deceased parents, expressing hope that they would have been proud of her leadership role. Her emotional address highlighted significant moments in her life and set a personal tone for her new position.

Søreide took over leadership from Erna Solberg, who stepped down after 22 years, marking a significant transition for the party. The timing of this leadership change comes as Høyre faces difficulties in maintaining its popularity among voters, currently polling around 17 percent. The party has struggled to recover since the last election, and Søreide's leadership will be pivotal in reshaping its strategies to regain public support and confidence.

As the new leader, Søreide is tasked with navigating the challenges of Norwegian immigration policy, a subject that has been contentious within the party and the public discourse. Her ability to unify the party and address the immigration stance could be crucial for Høyre's future, especially as they work to reinvigorate their identity and appeal to a broader electorate in the upcoming political landscape.