Kebabs for votes

It seems Norwegian politics is not avoid of episodes you would normally expect to find in less politically developed countries. In the recent local elections, homeless people and drug addicts have been offered 50 Norwegian crowns (6.50 Euros) or one Kebab to vote for Yosouf Gilani and the Labour Party in Drammen.

It is not clear yet, whether this incident was an attempt by the Labour Party to buy votes or an attempt by other parties to hurt the Labour by causing a scandal.

Either way, this episode is something that damages Norwegian politics, and drags in down into the dirt. Neither the Labour nor its political opponents are gaining anything by such behavior. Not only it is simply tasteless to buy off homeless people and drug addicts for small change, it is also making Norwegian politics resemble something you would find in some banana republic where the respect for democracy is next to nothing.

Some of the people who were attempted bought off found this tasteless too, and simply took the money or the kebab and voted for some other party. It seems a free will can not be bought after all..