Former NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg Appointed Norway’s Finance Minister

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attends a press conference in Washington on July 11, 2024. Nathan Howard/Reuters

Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is set to become Norway’s next finance minister, the Norwegian government said on Tuesday.

In a statement on the social media platform X, Stoltenberg said it was an honor to be appointed to the position, which he will serve under Norway’s current Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.

“We face geopolitical challenges & a more uncertain world,” he wrote. “Economic stability & prosperity will be my focus. It’s a privilege to serve my country, and I am ready to play my part.”

Stoltenberg, who is widely seen as a pragmatist centrist, led the Western military alliance for a decade, including during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term at the White House.

The 65-year-old economist stepped down in October 2024 and handed over the reins to the current Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who previously served as prime minister of the Netherlands.

Stoltenberg’s new position is part of a cabinet reshuffle in Norway’s government after its ruling coalition collapsed last week amid a dispute over the adoption of European Union net-zero energy policies.

The euroskeptic Centre Party announced its departure from the coalition after rejecting the center-left Labour Party’s efforts to have Norway adopt EU directives on renewable energy consumption, energy performance in buildings, and overall energy efficiency.

Norway, a country of 5.5 million with an export-oriented economy, is not part of the European Union but adopts many of the bloc’s laws.

The Centre Party had argued the energy directives would erode Norwegian autonomy.

“The conclusion for us is that the Centre Party does not want to be part of this development,” Centre Party lawmaker and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum said at a press conference announcing his party’s decision. “We want to take back more national control.”

The departure left the Labour Party to govern alone with just eight months until the election, at a time when the party has been lagging in the polls.

It also left Støre, who leads the Labour Party, with several cabinet posts to fill, including that of the outgoing finance minister.

Støre said that Stoltenberg “has done most things in Norwegian and international politics,” Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported. “And for me, he is also a good friend.”

Before taking over at NATO, Stoltenberg, a veteran Labour Party politician, served as Norway’s finance minister from 1996 to 1997 and as prime minister from 2000 to 2001 and 2005 to 2013.

He was set to become Norway’s central bank chief in 2022 but declined the role after U.S. President Joe Biden asked him to remain as NATO chief following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that year.

Stoltenberg was due to take over as chairman of the Munich Security Conference—an annual conference on international security policies held in Germany—following its annual meeting later this month.

In a Feb. 4 statement released through the conference, Stoltenberg said he would return to the conference and “to my other responsibilities” once his tenure is over.

“I am grateful for the decision to temporarily release me from my duties while I serve my country once again,” he said. “I will remain engaged with the MSC and its many activities as much as my new office allows in the meantime.”

Owen Evans, the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.