Reuters. Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg became Norway's new finance minister on Tuesday (February 4) as part of a cabinet reshuffle, taking up the post as the Nordic country eyes the impact of a potential transatlantic trade war.
Appointing the widely popular and well respected Stoltenberg could give the struggling Labour government a boost in opinion polls ahead of September's parliamentary elections.
The veteran politician was prime minister of Norway in 2000-2001 and 2005-2013. He headed the Western military alliance for a decade, including during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term, stepping down last year.
His appointment brings an experienced negotiator and diplomat to Norway's cabinet at a time of global trade tensions.
"This team is ready to lead Norway in demanding times," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told reporters outside the Royal Palace after the new cabinet met King Harald.
Norway's eurosceptic Centre Party quit the government last week in a dispute over the adoption of European Union energy policies, leaving the centre-left Labour to rule alone.