Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt’s husband bought shares in arms manufacturer Kongsberg Gruppen in recent years while she was in office, although she was unaware at the time, the minister told a press conference on Wednesday.
“Based on an assessment by the law department, there is reason to believe that I have been disqualified in several cases,” Huitfeldt said at a press conference on Wednesday.
She estimates that there have been around 100 transactions since October 2020.
However, Huitfeldt claimed that she was unaware of her husband’s share purchases and therefore, believes that her faults have not affected matters in the government. Nevertheless, she admitted that she has been aware that her husband has held some individual shares without knowing which ones.
“I am sorry that I have put myself in this situation, and I want to clear it up,” she declared.
When she joined the government, the minister stated that she informed her husband about the Political Handbook for Political Leadership – the Norwegian government’s handbook for rules on impartiality. She also said that she specifically advised him to avoid arms shares.
The opposition Green Party reacted strongly to Huitfeldt’s announcement, demanding her resignation.
“What has been revealed is a clear violation of the rules of impartiality, and Huitfeldt should resign. Whether intentionally or not, we cannot accept such abuse of power and position”, Ingrid Liland, deputy leader of the party, declared to the Norwegian media.
But despite the scandal, the foreign minister retains Norway’s Labour Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s trust.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs has made mistakes related to impartiality. Her husband’s purchase and sale of shares has meant that Anniken has been disqualified in matters in the government and her own ministry without realising it herself”, he said.
“I believe what Anniken says,” said Støre, stressing that he trusts Huitfeldt based on the information that has come to light.
But Hans Andreas Limi, deputy leader of the opposition Norwegian Liberal Party, reacted strongly to the fact that yet another minister appears to have violated the impartiality regulations.
“This shows that Støre has no control over his ministers, and a clear picture of a bad culture in this government is emerging,” said Limi.
“Now, the announced controls must be expanded to include Huitfeldt’s case. So many cases of gross rule violations by this government undermine confidence in the entire political system, and it is important that Støre now cleans up the mess,” he added.
Former Culture Minister Anette Trettebergstuen and Higher Education Minister Ola Borten Moe have already had to resign this year due to impartiality issues. Minister of Education Tonje Brenna also admitted mistakes but, so far, remained in office.
(Charles Szumski | EURACTIV.com)
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