Helga Pedersen out of government
Norway’s only Minister with knowledge of Russian language, Ms. Helga Pedersen, will leave her post as Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs to be the head of the Labour Party’s Group in the Parliament.
Helga Pedersen has been in the Norwegian Government for the last four years. She came from the position as County Governor of Finnmark, where she was the youngest ever Governor participating in the Barents Regional Council.
Pedersen was well respected for her work to maintain northern-Norway’s relations with neighbouring Russia. Her knowledge of Russian language made her popular among regional leaders in the Russian part of the Barents Region.
Pedersen goes to the position as leader of the Labour Party’s group in the parliament, a move many political analysts say is a promotion. Pedersen is also the deputy leader of the Labour Party.
Norway’s three parties’ government, headed by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is expected to announce their new ministers later in October.
