After NATO, Jens Stoltenberg appointed head of the Bank of Norway


NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, January 24, 2022 in Brussels (AFP/Archives/JOHN THYS)

The current head of NATO, the Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg, was appointed Friday at the head of the Bank of Norway, announced the Norwegian Ministry of Finance, without specifying a date for his taking office.

This appointment of Mr. Stoltenberg comes in the midst of a crisis between the West and Russia over the Ukrainian question. But the 62-year-old leader, an economist by training, had indicated in advance that he could not possibly take on the new role until October 1, after the end of his mandate in Brussels.

“He will take office from the time chosen by the Ministry of Finance,” the Norwegian government said without further details on its website.

Former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in Norway, Mr. Stoltenberg was therefore preferred to Ida Wolden Bache, considered his main rival and currently vice-president of the central bank.

The nomination process has caused a lot of ink to flow in Norway, where commentators and politicians have questioned the links between the future central bank chief and the ruling Labor Party-dominated coalition.

In December, Mr. Stoltenberg had indicated that he had applied at the request of the Ministry of Finance.

“I was contacted by the Ministry of Finance in November to find out if I would consider applying for the position. I did, it is a position that motivates me a lot,” he said, via his service. press, AFP.

“I have made it clear with the Ministry of Finance that, if I get the job, it will not be possible for me to take office before the end of my mandate at NATO on October 1st”, had -He specifies.

The current governor of the Bank of Norway, Øystein Olsen, is due to retire this month, aged 70.

The interim before Mr. Stoltenberg takes office will be filled by the unsuccessful candidate, Wolden Bache, the government said.

© 2022 AFP

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