– I have come to the conclusion that I want to take responsibility by resigning my position, Andreassen says in a press release. The decision comes as a result of an infringement fee of NOK 2 million that the Data Inspectorate has imposed on the Storting. A notice of this was given in January, but now the Authority has made a final decision. According to the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, gross negligence was shown in connection with the computer attack on the Storting in August 2020. Marianne Andreassen acknowledges that security was not good enough in 2020. – Major improvements have been made to IT security in the Storting since then. Nevertheless, I have come to the conclusion that the Storting as an institution is best served by having a new director, who can continue the improvement work on a broad front, without such a serious decision adhering to it. Andreassen goes on the day, confirms the President of the Storting. Storting President Masud Gharahkhani says the presidency takes note of Andreassen’s decision. – She has asked to be released from her work duty during the notice period. The presidency has granted this today, Gharahkhani told news. Emails going astray The case concerns that personal information from 13 email accounts could be lost. The investigation from PST pointed out that Russia could be behind the attack. The Storting’s administration, through the Storting’s director, decided on Tuesday to adopt the infringement fee of NOK 2 million. At the same time, the director has resigned his position and asked to be exempted from the duty to work during the notice period. The violation fee and the criticism from the Norwegian Data Protection Authority come on top of a large number of irregularities that have been uncovered around the Storting’s practice of the regulations related to commuter housing and other allowances. Several parliamentary representatives have received tax claims from the authorities, and some of them have criticized the administration for giving inadequate advice. The Director of the Storting admits that the overall pressure has played a role in the decision to resign. – I have been motivated to take my share of the responsibility and the clean-up job the Storting is in when it comes to the representatives’ schemes. But a high workload and very demanding cases over a long period of time leave traces. For that reason, I have also come to the conclusion that someone else must now take this further, says Andreassen. Grimstad takes over At a meeting of the Storting’s presidency on Tuesday, assistant director Kyrre Grimstad was asked to become acting director until a new formal appointment has been made. – The Storting is in the middle of a clean-up process to strengthen confidence in the Storting. This work will keep the momentum going. A process will now also be implemented to hire a new director of the Storting, says Gharahkhani. – The job for the Storting’s best Marianne Andreassen took over as Storting director after Ida Børresen, who in February 2018 resigned after the budget gap in connection with the rebuilding of the Storting. – I have had four fantastic years as director of the Storting. There have been many issues to address. Important development processes have been implemented to modernize and streamline the work in the Storting, and to strengthen security and preparedness, says Andreassen. She also admits that there have been many demanding cases along the way. – Cheating with travel expenses, several IT attacks and in the last year a persistent negative media attention directed at the representatives’ schemes and the administration’s management of these. I have always worked solely for the good of the Storting, she says. The Storting is in the process of a comprehensive review of the representatives’ allowances and other welfare schemes, to ensure that they are in line with the regulations and have legitimacy in the population. In addition, the administration is working to improve its management and control.
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The Director of the Storting goes on the day – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
