A document from the Prime Minister’s Office (SMK) that news has obtained shows that SMK advised Sindre Finnes to freeze shares in 2013. The note is called “Problems related to the incoming prime minister’s competence – relationships related to spouse and close friends”. It was sent on 11 October 2013 from the then head of expedition Heidi Heggenes at the Prime Minister’s office to Sindre Finnes, with one of Erna Solberg’s most important advisers at the time, Julie Brodtkorb, as a copy. “As can be seen from the note, our assessment is that there are some challenges that must be dealt with,” Heggenes wrote in the email. In the note, there are clear warning signs for Solberg – they consider that there will be difficulties in keeping up to date on the share portfolio. It also states that: Sindre Finnes has stated that he trades shares once or twice a month. SMK writes that, in their view, share trading will create challenges for Solberg, and that there will be difficulties in keeping abreast of the movement in the portfolio. The document states, among other things, that “[ …] it will then be difficult to have an overview of the portfolio’s importance for her competence in handling matters in the government.” SMK advised that no shares or financial instruments should be traded until a new government had presented changes to the state budget for 2014. SMK wrote that Sindre Finnes should give SMK an account of his current portfolio, so that Solberg’s integrity can be clarified, and that it should be clarified how this will be handled before Solberg takes office as prime minister.
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SMK rådet Finds share freeze in 2013 – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
