Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg appointed as Norway's new finance minister

After ten years at the helm of NATO, Stoltenberg made a surprise announcement on Tuesday of his return to Norwegian politics as finance minister.

Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO secretary-general, makes a surprise return to Norwegian politics as finance minister at a time when the country is facing fears of a possible transatlantic trade war and days after the collapse of the ruling coalition.

"I am deeply honoured to have been asked to help my country at this critical stage," said Stoltenberg, who served as Norway's prime minister for nine years before joining NATO.

Stoltenberg will join the front line of Norwegian politics after the country's ruling coalition government broke up last week over a dispute over the adoption of the European Union's energy policy.

A fierce debate over whether Norway should keep its electricity for itself to lower prices for residents or export it to the European Union has caused the eurosceptic Centre Party to dismiss its ministers from the coalition - including former finance minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum.

Stoltenberg will replace Slagsvold Vedum in a cabinet reshuffle and hopes to revive the centre-left Labour Party, which is governing alone eight months before the national elections.

The return of experienced politicians to Norwegian political life comes at a time when the Nordic country fears it will become embroiled in a trade war between the European Union and the U.S. Norway, which is not a member of the EU, could potentially be hit with tariffs from both Brussels and Washington if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his tariff threats.

Stoltenberg, who headed NATO from 2014 to 2024, has earned the nickname "Trump's whisperer" for his efforts to convince Trump not to withdraw from the military alliance during his tenure.

The political veteran announced his return to politics on Tuesday, saying in a statement: "After careful consideration of the current challenges we face, I have decided to accept Prime Minister Støre's request to serve as Minister of Finance."

"This team is ready to lead Norway in challenging times," said the Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to reporters outside the Royal Palace after the new cabinet met with King Harald.

Stoltenberg was supposed to take over as head of the Munich Security Conference in Germany, but was relieved of that post after announcing his return to Norwegian politics.

euronews/ gnews - RoZ