Jens Stoltenberg

Bilderberg Group

On 8 November 2024 Stoltenberg was appointed Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Bilderberg Group, an annual private conference attended by political leaders, business executives, academics, and media representatives. The group, known for its off-the-record discussions on global affairs, has been a gathering place for high-profile figures in government and finance. His appointment placed him in a leadership role within the organization's decision-making structure.

December 2024 views on Ukraine

In December 2024 Stoltenberg expressed support for the accelerated accession of Ukraine to NATO, saying, "Where there is a will, there is a way to find a solution. But you need a line which defines where Article 5 is invoked, and Ukraine has to control all the territory until that border." He said that Ukraine could temporarily give up territories occupied by Russia in exchange for peace.

Minister of Finance (2025–present)

On 4 February 2025, following the collapse of the coalition between the Centre Party and the Labour Party, Stoltenberg succeeded Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, the leader of the Centre Party, as Norway's Minister of Finance. Stoltenberg resigned from his position as chairman of the MSC, but he still plans to return to the MSC after his tenure as minister. Much like his position in the MSC, Stoltenberg also stepped down as head of the steering committee of the Bilderberg Group to focus entirely on his responsibilities as finance minister.

Tenure

A week into his tenure, Stoltenberg was a part of the Norwegian delegation at the 61st Munich Security Conference. He warned the United States against not allowing Ukraine to be a part of negotiations over a peace treaty with Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Stoltenberg launched an initiative to seek a compromise solution on tax settlement in March, which most of the opposition turned down with the exception of the Greens and the Red Party. Despite this setback, he expressed continued optimism about the proposal and cited the heightened global situation and the necessity to seek advise on how to change the tax system.

Stoltenberg accompanied prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre during his visit to Washington, D.C. in April to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss US–Norway relations, the war in Ukraine and Norway's role in the Arctic.

During the summer of 2025, he came under fire for the Government Pension Fund of Norway investing in Israeli companies that contributed in the killing of civilians in Gaza. Stoltenberg argued that the fund's own Council on Ethics should evaluate whether or not they should sell themselves out of such companies. The fund eventually sold itself out of eleven companies out of sixty-one they had invested in, a move Stoltenberg supported. Stoltenberg was asked on several occasions by the Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs about his handling of the issue, but were unsatisfied with his responses. This came to a head following his response after the 2025 parliamentary election, with members expressing that the committee should open a case against him, but this would ultimately be decided by the new members of the committee once parliament has been constituted for the next parliamentary term.

He presented the government's budget for 2026 on 15 October. The budget notably detailed that young people would receive 500 million NOK in tax lottery, the price of electric vehicles would increase, Norway Price (Norgespris) would be retained and likewise the price for kindergarten slots, a lower tax on income and a change in the wealth tax. The proposed budget received criticism from both supporting and opposition parties, with the former highlighting lack of action for combatting inequality, green industry and environmental action and centralisation. The latter criticised it both for not prioritising crime and taxes and cutting in parental allowance.

After several revelations determined that the government had misled voters during the 2025 election campaign and contradicted their own budget proposals, Stoltenberg was confronted with his lack of presence to tackle the issue after going on a book tour. He emphasised that the book tour had been scheduled long before the budget controversy had arisen and further expressed that it was unfortunate that issues his party had campaigned on had been removed from the budget and that it was important to rectify their mistakes.

Ahead of the government's budget conference in March 2026, Stoltenberg announced that there would be more cuts in government spending ahead, including in 2027 and there would be at least 25 billion NOK in annual increased spending until 2029.

Stoltenberg received the report of the tax commission in June. He had previously set up the commission to look into how the Norwegian tax system could be reformed and their report suggested a cut in the wealth tax and an overall tax cut from around 4,1 to 23 trillion NOK. He also argued against the OECD's report about the Norwegian industry, although he did concede that there were issues with the economy, while also warning against "smearing Norway when there's hardly any other country with higher welfare, higher standard of living, more even distribution and where productivity is higher".

Stoltenberg presented the government's proposed state budget for 2027 in October. Some of the government's proposals included: cuts in car taxes by 1,2 trillion NOK and cheaper transport tickets, mail and delivery services once a week, price increase of Norway Price (Norgespris) and an increase of 2100 Army personell. The budget received mixed support from other parties, with only the Liberal Party praising the proposal of tax cuts, but did criticise them for increasing prices for electric vehicles as a repercussion.

Party leader election

The election result in 2001 was quickly followed by a leadership battle between Jagland and Stoltenberg. Both Jagland as leader and Stoltenberg as deputy leader said they were open to be challenged for their positions at the party's congress in November 2002. Stoltenberg refused to say whether he would challenge Jagland for the leadership position, which was seen by political commentators as a sign that he probably would seek the leadership position. In the beginning of February 2002 Jagland, who had been briefly hospitalized in January and had a subsequent sick leave, said that he would not seek reelection as leader. In November 2002, Stoltenberg was unanimously elected new leader at the Labour Party's congress.

Second term as Prime Minister (2005–2013)

Stoltenberg's second cabinet governed Norway from 17 October 2005 to 16 October 2013. The 2005 parliamentary election saw a vast improvement for the Labour Party, gaining a majority in parliament together with the other "Red-Green" parties, the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party. This paved the way for a historic first in Norway, with the Labour Party forming the Red-Green Coalition after a coalition deal with Stoltenberg was struck. Since the government's formation, key political issues such as Norwegian military participation in the war in Afghanistan, petroleum activities in the Barents Sea, LGBT rights, immigration and the quality of standard education were greatly debated by the public. Following Stoltenberg's re-election in 2009, he worked on the Norwegian response to the ongoing global recession and supported environmentalist policies through private and corporate taxation.

A marine border dispute with Russia in the Barents Sea since 1978 was settled when Stoltenberg and former President of Russia Dimitry Medvedev signed an agreement on 27 April 2010 in Oslo. The agreement was a compromise, which divides a disputed area of around 175,000 km2 (68,000 sq mi) into two approximately equally sized parts. The agreement still needs ratification by the State Duma and the Parliament of Norway in order to be implemented. Norway had previously insisted on a border in accordance with the equidistance principle, which is recognized by the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea Article 15 and the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone Article 6. Russia invoked a Stalin-era decree of the Soviet Union from 1926, which was not recognised by any other country. The new agreement replaced a controversial temporary agreement negotiated by Jens Evensen and Arne Treholt, who was later revealed to be a Soviet spy and who aided the Soviet Union in the negotiations. Most of the disputed area was within what would normally be considered Norwegian according to the relevant international treaties.

As Prime Minister, Stoltenberg worked for a constructive relationship with Russia through dialogue and cooperation underpinned by NATO's deterrence and defence capabilities. He also emphasised the need to focus on security challenges close to Allied territory.

22 July 2011 terrorist attacks

On 22 July 2011, a far-right extremist committed two attacks: a bomb went off in Oslo outside the government building which houses the prime minister's office, killing eight people. About an hour later, the extremist shot and killed 69 people at Utøya, an island forty-five minutes away where the ruling Labour Party was holding its annual youth camp. The PM was due for a visit at the youth camp the next day, and was in his residence preparing his speech at the time of the Oslo explosion.

On Sunday 24 July, Stoltenberg spoke at the church service in the Oslo Cathedral. He named two of the victims at Utøya, Monica Bøsei, who was the camp's leader, and Tore Eikeland, who was the leader of the youth chapter in Hordaland.

He also said that "No one has said it better than the AUF girl who was interviewed by CNN: If one man can show so much hate, think how much love we could show, standing together."

The AUF girl mentioned is Stine Renate Håheim interviewed by CNN's Richard Quest on 23 July 2011. Håheim again quoted her friend Helle Gannestad, who had tweeted this from home, watching events unfold on TV.

On 24 August 2012, 33-year-old Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik was found guilty by the Oslo District Court of having perpetrated by himself both terrorist attacks, the bombing of the prime minister's office and the shooting spree on Utøya island, and was convicted to containment, a special form of prison sentence that can be extended indefinitely—with a time frame of 21 years and a minimum time of 10 years, the maximum penalty in Norway.

On 3 September 2012, Norwegian daily Klassekampen wrote that the Gjørv Report on the terrorist attack "is the hardest verdict against a Norwegian cabinet since the Fact-Finding Commission of 1945 ensured that Johan Nygaardsvold's political career was abruptly halted." Stoltenberg said after the report was published that he had "ultimate responsibility for the preparedness in our country, a responsibility I take seriously," but said he would not resign.

2013 election and defeat

Stoltenberg was the prime minister candidate for the Red-Green Coalition in the 2013 elections, seeking re-election for a third term.

On 9 September 2013, the coalition failed to win a majority, with 72 of the required 85 mandates, despite the Labour Party remaining the largest party in Norway with 31%. After winning candidate Erna Solberg formed her cabinet, Stoltenberg returned to the Parliament as leader of the opposition, and a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. In December 2013, he was appointed by the United Nations as a Special Envoy on Climate Change, alongside the former Ghanaian president John Kufuor.

Policies as Prime Minister

Stoltenberg has been described as a cautious politician, belonging to the right wing of social democracy.

When he became prime minister in 2000, he was portrayed as the "Norwegian Tony Blair", and his policies were inspired by Blair's New Labour agenda. Stoltenberg also said he wanted to learn from Blair's policies. After election defeat in 2001, he reoriented towards a more traditional line of close cooperation with trade unions.

In security policy, Stoltenberg favours increased military spending and dialogue.

Defense and foreign politics

While Stoltenberg was prime minister, Norway's defence spending increased steadily. Stoltenberg has also been instrumental in modernising the Norwegian armed forces, and in contributing forces to various NATO operations.

Stoltenberg is a supporter of enhanced trans-Atlantic cooperation ties. He has also been a supporter of Norwegian membership in the European Union.

Stoltenberg has criticized Israel over alleged violations of international law in the Palestinian Territories as well as in international waters, such as the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid. Stoltenberg also praised doctors Mads Gilbert and Erik Fosse for their humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza War.

Financial crisis

Stoltenberg promoted international financial cooperation during the financial crisis. This was done through the use of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a meeting in Chile 27–29 March 2009 where social democratic leaders from around the world met at a Progressive Governance Conference, just prior to the first G20 summit on the financial crisis. The panel included representation from multiple other countries including the United States, Britain, and Brazil. An emergency meeting of the European Social Democratic Forum (PES) gathered in Oslo in May 2011, on an initiative from Stoltenberg and the think tank Policy Network.

Both nationally and internationally, Stoltenberg emphasised the enormous costs the financial crisis had in the form of a high unemployment rate, and appealed for better international coordination, the balance between austerity and economic growth stimulus, active labor market measures for young people, and investments for increased innovation. Norway came out of the financial crisis with the lowest unemployment rate in Europe.

Environment and climate change

Stoltenberg partnered with tropical countries to preserve more of their rainforest to bind carbon dioxide (CO2) in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2007, the government received support from the opposition to a long-term agreement to finance forest conservation with 3 billion NOK annually.

Stoltenberg advocated that international agreements with global taxes or quotas were the most effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At the UN Climate Change Conference 2009, a separate proposal on the preservation of rainforests with funding from wealthy countries, advanced by Stoltenberg and Brazilian Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2009 obtained support from world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama during COP15 in Copenhagen.

The summit in Copenhagen ended without a binding agreement, but before the subsequent COP16 in Cancún, Stoltenberg succeeded then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the leadership of the committee dealing with the financing of climate actions in developing countries, also consisting of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Under a separate forest and climate conference in Oslo in May 2010, a proposal was presented to a number of countries, with final delivery of the report in autumn 2010.

In January 2014 Jens Stoltenberg became United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Change. During the meeting there he met with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as UN Framework Convention director Christiana Figueres and both Achim Steiner and Helen Clark of the United Nations Development Programme.

Vaccines

Stoltenberg has been an advocate for child vaccination. The first speech he gave in his second term as prime minister was during Norway's "Pharmaceutics days" in 2005 under the title "Vaccination against poverty". Stoltenberg was a board director of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) from 2002 to 2005 and was awarded the Children's Health Award in 2005.

An international initiative, with the UK, the Gates Foundation and Norway in the lead, GAVI received more than $3.7 billion until 2015 for their work against child mortality. Stoltenberg was a driving force behind the initiative, and has stressed that this was an important contribution to save children from dying of common childhood illnesses.

In his New Year speech on 1 January 2013, Stoltenberg spoke about vaccination of the world's children as a personal matter of the heart, saying "Small jabs are giving millions of children the gift of life. Simple medicines can save their mothers. The fact that all these mothers' and children's lives can be saved is—as I see it—a miracle of our time."