After a decade at the helm of NATO, Stoltenberg announced his surprise return to the frontline of Norwegian politics as finance minister on Tuesday.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s former secretary-general, will make a surprise return to Norwegian politics as finance minister, as the country faces concerns about a potential transatlantic trade war and days after its ruling coalition split up.
“I am deeply honoured to have been asked to help my country at this critical stage,” said Stoltenberg, who prior to joining NATO served as Norwegian prime minister for nine years.
Stoltenberg will join the frontline of Norwegian politics after the country’s ruling coalition government split last week over a dispute in adopting European Union energy policies.
A fierce debate over whether Norway should keep electricity for itself to lower prices for residents or export it to the European Union caused the eurosceptic Centre Party to remove its ministers from the coalition — including former Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum.
Stoltenberg will replace Slagsvold Veldum in a cabinet reshuffle and hopes to reinvigorate the centre-left Labour Party’s fortunes as it governs alone eight months before national elections.
The veteran politicians’ return to Norwegian political life comes as the Nordic country fears getting caught up in a trade war between the European Union and the US.
Norway, which is not a member of the EU, could potentially be hit by tariffs from both Brussels and Washington should US President Donald Trump follow through with his tariff threats.
Stoltenberg, who served at the helm of NATO from 2014 until 2024, earned the nickname the “Trump whisperer” for his efforts in convincing Trump not to pull out of the military alliance during his time as NATO chief.
The veteran politician announced his return to politics on Tuesday, saying in a statement that, “having carefully considered the current challenges we face, I have decided to accept Prime Minister Støre’s request to serve as his Minister of Finance.”
“This team is ready to lead Norway in demanding times,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told reporters outside the Royal Palace after the new cabinet met King Harald.
Stoltenberg was due to take over as head of the Munich Security Conference in Germany, but was released from the position after announcing his return to Norwegian politics.
Additional sources • AP
