A total of 94 politicians now work in the government apparatus as ministers, state secretaries or political advisers.
It is a new record. Never before have there been more politicians in government offices, according to the government’s own overview.
This is in stark contrast to SP leader and finance minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum’s promise in Dagbladet in the election campaign in 2022: – We must reduce the number of ministers and we must reduce the number of state secretaries.
When he presented the promise, Erna Solberg had 92 politicians with her in the government – including herself. Thus, Støre, Vedum and co. rather increased the density of politicians in government offices.
– Lifeless!
Grows evenly
The government’s own figures show that the government apparatus has grown steadily over the years. Just over fifty years ago, in 1973, there were 35 politicians in the government. Back then there were fewer politicians and a smaller state.
When Gro Harlem Brundtland presented his first government in 1981, as seen in the TV series ‘Makta’, there were 55 politicians in the government offices.
Number of politicians in Norwegian governments in the last 25 years:
- Stoltenberg I: 75
- Bondevik II (2001 – 2005): 75
- Stoltenberg II (2005 – 2013): 86
- Solberg (2013 – 2021): 92
- Støre (2021 -): 94
The most recent increase in the State government has occurred through the creation of the Ministry of Digitalization and Administration with Minister Karianne Tung (Ap) in October last year. She has two state secretaries and a political adviser with her.
In addition, the government gained yet another state secretary when Kristine Kallset (Ap) recently resigned as chief of staff to the prime minister. When Halvard Ingebrigtsen (Ap) took over, she stayed on as state secretary at the Prime Minister’s office.
Refser Støre’s sex attack
– Ironing grade
Deputy leader of the FRP, Hans Andreas Limi, believes the politician’s record in the government is a clear breach of promise from Vedum.
– This fits into a familiar pattern from Vedum and Sp. He promised to clean up the opposition, but has only contributed to more political management and more bureaucracy when he gained power. Opposition Vedum had given Finance Minister Vedum a failing grade, says Limi to Dagbladet.
The FRP summit believes it should be easier to reduce the number of politicians in a government with only two parties.
– The Solberg government mostly consisted of four cooperative parties. It is particularly important that Ap and Sp need more people in political leadership, as it is basically easier to coordinate cooperation with two parties than with four. It is perhaps just a symptom of a lack of action and efficiency in general in the Ap/Sp government? asks Limi rhetorically.
Not even in the Conservative Party are they impressed by what Vedum has achieved. The party’s whip in the Storting, Mari Holm Løset, says the government is free to employ as many people as it wants.
– I still think Vedum now regrets his harsh opposition attacks and promises of other bowls with the Labor Party and the Center Party. The bottom line is once again that Vedum goes all out in opposition, only to then not deliver on his own promises in government.
– Disappointed with Erna
Vedum: – Tough choices
SP leader and finance minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum believes it is absolutely necessary to have so many politicians in government in the times we live in.
– The Conservative Party and FrP talk as if they have not caught up with the demanding times the world and Norway have been in. They appear completely distinct from the fact that we have had to make some tough choices in order to bring down the rise in prices for people and to strengthen safety and preparedness in a troubled time, says Vedum to Dagbladet.
Vedum says he still wants to cut bureaucracy.
– For me, it is a goal to have as little bureaucracy as possible. At a time when there are many threats to Norway, we have nevertheless had to strengthen some areas. There has been a strengthening of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defense and we have got a new digitization minister who will contribute to meeting the digital threats we face. Then I note that the FrP and the Conservative Party are not so concerned about it and instead choose to be annoyed with it, it will be at their expense, says Vedum.
