Local politics: the latest news from Møre og Romsdal in Ørsta and Volda

Volda municipal council voted in favour of continuing plans for a merger with Ørsta by 28 votes to 2 (NRK Møre og Romsdal). In Ørsta, the yes vote prevailed by 19 votes to 14. The two municipalities had already rejected a merger in 2016 in a vote among residents. This time, the elected representatives are not yet taking a position on the principle of a merger: they are only deciding to continue working on the plans. Ørsta mayor Per Are Sørheim (H) said he was ready to convene a joint meeting of the municipal councils. “I am very pleased about this,” he said after the vote (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

NRK Møre og Romsdal points out that 4 hours separated the start of the meeting and the result of the vote. In Volda, the yes vote had a clear majority; in Ørsta, opposition is stronger. The process therefore remains open, and the two municipalities must now clarify how the work will continue. The source stresses that the issue concerns continuing the plans, not immediate approval of the merger (NRK Møre og Romsdal).