– An “elite” is building up, you could say, says Jagland. He clarifies that he does not like the term “elite”, but the trend is nevertheless clear. – In any case, it is a grouping of secretaries, investigators, communication advisers and experts. It creates opportunities for camaraderie, nepotism and personal connections that are not healthy, says Jagland to news. Jagland believes that the appointment of Jens Stoltenberg as governor of the central bank was particularly unfortunate. It took place at the same time as Stoltenberg’s personal friend Jonas Gahr Støre was prime minister. – You cannot have a situation where an independent institution such as the central bank must be managed by someone who is considered a friend of the prime minister, says Jagland. Jens Stoltenberg hands over the leadership of the Labor Party to Jonas Gahr Støre in June 2014. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – You have to be skilled in everyday life It became clear that Stoltenberg would become head of Norges Bank in the autumn of 2021. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in November 2021 that the friendship had to be taken into account, and declared himself ineligible for the appointment. – I want to emphasize that, that no one should be able to question the integrity and the seriousness we take in the jobs we have, said Støre. The Ministry of Finance chose to defy the assessments of the opposition in the Storting and several professional economists. The ministry pointed out that there were no rules or laws that would have meant that Stoltenberg could not get the job. Jagland believes the assessments were not good enough. – It has become a kind of mantra in Norwegian politics, that as long as you declare yourself incompetent, it will be fine, just like that. It is not only during the appointment process itself that the ties are relevant, believes the former prime minister: – It is in day-to-day life that you have to be competent. These central state institutions must be considered independent of each other. Then you cannot have such personal connections. Jonas Gahr Støre has not wanted to comment on the criticism from Jagland towards news. Thorbjørn Jagland answers questions from news’s journalist. Photo: Amanda Iversen Orlich / news Comparing Norway with Eastern Europe Jens Stoltenberg continued as secretary-general of NATO, and it was the opposite candidate Ida Wolden Bache who ended up becoming governor of the central bank. But since the appointment, Norwegian politics has been characterized by several major integrity cases. Erna Solberg, Anette Trettebergstuen, Tonje Brenna and Anniken Huitfeldt are some of those who have recently had to admit to having had unfortunate connections while in positions of power. Jagland believes that all these issues have sprung from a culture. A culture that reminds him of Eastern Europe. – When Prime Minister Orban in Hungary wanted to appoint a new head of the Media Authority, he wanted to appoint one of his old friends. Then I traveled to Budapest and said that “It’s not possible”. In my opinion, the same applies to the appointment of the governor of the central bank, says Jagland.
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Thorbjørn Jagland points to an unhealthy camaraderie culture in Norwegian politics – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
