Mette Wiggen

Mette Wiggen is a lecturer at the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds, specializing on the extreme right in Europe. Wiggen also works as a widening participation officer for the university, organizing conferences and other events aimed at attracting students from lower socioeconomic groups. She holds a PhD from the University of Leeds.
Social Contacts

COVID-19 Casts a Shadow Over Swedish Exceptionalism

Sweden has dealt with the global COVID-19 pandemic very differently from the other Nordic countries. All but Sweden are led by women. The female prime ministers in Denmark, Norway and Finland closed down their countries in the middle of March and have dealt with the pandemic in an open, inclusive and democratic way you would expect in more equal societies with universal welfare states and high... Continue Reading

Fair Observer

With the Collapse of a Right-Wing Coalition, Has Norway Turned Its Populist Tide?

The radical-right Progress Party (FRP) withdrew from Norway's coalition government on January 20. This is a big defeat for FRP leader Siv Jensen, whose big ambition was to prove his party was koalitionsfähig, or "coalition capable." After six years in government, the conflict between the populist radicals and the more moderate wing of the party has reached crisis point, and the FRP could no... Continue Reading

Fair Observer

Scandinavia’s #MeToo Problem

The hype around equality in Scandinavia could lead many to believe that parity between men and women has been achieved. The region tops international statistics for equality, well-being and happiness, but in the last few years Scandinavia has also witnessed the biggest #MeToo scandals in its history. Four decades of state feminism, with governments intervening directly to implement gender... Continue Reading

Fair Observer

The Far Left Is on the Rise in Norway

For the time being, populist red-green forces seem to have robbed the radical right of its language as well as its voters. On March 1, Norway’s far-left Red (Rødt) party polled at 7.6% — its highest ever result. If an election was called today, this could translate to 14 members in the 169-seat parliament, Stortinget, where the party currently has just one, Bjørnar Moxnes. Moxnes is... Continue Reading

Fair Observer

Norway Has Failed to Combat a Climate of Hate

Norway's politicians have not dealt with or intervened to undermine the racist ideology that made Anders Behring Breivik's 2011 attacks possible. In July, Norway remembered the victims of the Utøya and Oslo attacks of 2011. A temporary memorial was unveiled with the names of those killed. The attacks have had an enormous impact on a country with only 5 million inhabitants. On July 22,... Continue Reading

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