Just before Christmas, it became known that Anniken Huitfeldt (Ap), who recently had to step down from her post as foreign minister, is a possible candidate for the prestigious job of ambassador in Washington DC. Huitfeldt has not officially applied for the position. She is wanted in the role by the prime minister. Dagens Næringsliv was the first to mention the case. news has contacted all of the representatives in the foreign affairs and defense committee and two of the largest trade unions to hear what they think about a possible appointment. While some are positive, several objections are also raised against appointing Huitfeldt. Not the best qualified Firstly, the critics believe that Huitfeldt is not the best qualified for the position. – This type of position must be given to the best qualified applicants. And from what I have registered, it is not her in this case, says Sylvi Listhaug. Choosing Huitfeldt will be a pure party appointment, believes the Frp leader. Sylvi Listhaug is one of those who are critical of a possible appointment of Huitfeldt to the top job in Washington. Here during the Storting’s Question Time in October last year. Photo: Emilie Holtet / NTB The academics in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say it is problematic if the statutory employment process is set aside. Without saying anything specific about what they think of Huitfeldt, deputy chairwoman Frida Fostvedt says the following: – We believe that the qualification principle should in any case govern the selection of such an important ambassador for Norway. Lawyer and partner in Helmr Terje Andersen specializes in state employment law. He emphasizes that it is the government that ultimately chooses the ambassador. – In practical terms, the appointment is made by the civil service making an assessment of who is best qualified. But the government is not legally bound by this assessment. Andersen believes there will hardly be any concrete consequences if Huitfeldt is appointed. – The most immediate consequence is probably that trust in the actors, the process and the appointment can be weakened Must be exempted by the Storting Secondly, questions have been raised about whether it is unproblematic to give Huitfeldt leave from the Storting. Basically, only the voters can exempt representatives. But a practice has developed whereby the Storting itself can also grant leave. – Storting representatives are elected for four years and should serve out the term, unless there are very strong reasons to the contrary, says Hårek Elvenes in the Conservative Party. He points out that there are several people who are qualified for the position. Former Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt during the Control and Constitution Committee open hearing on the Government’s handling of the competence regulations on 7 November last year. Photo: Hearing in the Storting’s control and constitutional committee on breach of trust Oslo 20231107. Previously published / NTB The lawyer also believes that the threshold is high. – I would assume that it is hardly routine for Huitfeldt to be granted leave in this case. But this is up to the Storting to consider, says Andersen. A short time since the share trading case Thirdly, several people think that it looks bad that Huitfeldt is going straight into such an important top job, when Støre recently sacked her as foreign minister after the share trading case. – Then it will be special to appoint her so shortly afterwards to the most prestigious post in the foreign service, says Listhaug. – I really hope that the government doesn’t do it, she adds. The lawyer agrees that it can look strange. – It will be even more striking if the civil service has not assessed her as the best qualified candidate, says Andersen. – Full confidence Dag-Inge Ulstein says KrF has full confidence that the government will appoint the person who will best serve Norwegian interests. – In short, this is not something the Storting should try to override, he says. Ola Borten Moe (Sp) does not want to say anything more than that Anniken Huitfeldt is very clever and competent. Several of the representatives in the foreign affairs and defense committee have not responded to news’s enquiry. The Norwegian Civil Service Association has replied that they do not wish to comment on the matter.
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Several critics of Huitfeldt becoming US ambassador – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
