"This might be just the tip of the iceberg," said Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug, capturing the escalating political storm over Norway's foreign service. The opposition party Høyre is now formally proposing an external, independent investigation commission to scrutinize what it calls critical failures within Utenrikstjenesten. Høyre's leader Erna Solberg stated the move is necessary to address severe issues challenging public trust in the state and political system.
Høyre's Formal Proposal
Erna Solberg confirmed Høyre will suggest the Storting appoint a commission under Paragraph 19 of its procedural rules. She emphasized this is a rare and serious step, taken only a few times in Norwegian history. Solberg insisted the commission must consist of external experts without party-political affiliations to safeguard the integrity of the work. "We must have zero tolerance for the misuse of communal funds," Solberg said, referencing the Foreign Ministry's own review of support to the International Peace Institute (IPI) during the leadership of Rød-Larsen.
Høyre had previously called for a thorough and independent investigation. While the Labour Party (Ap) planned to raise the matter in the Storting's control and constitutional committee, Solberg maintained that starting talks there is natural but underscored that an external review remains their core demand. She stressed that the gravity of the situation warrants moving beyond internal committee discussions to a full-fledged commission.
Coalition Partners Voice Support
Support for a sweeping investigation is broadening. Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug welcomed the resignation of Ambassador Mona Juul but said it is not sufficient. Listhaug argued that a full, open, and independent review is essential to uncover all connections, eligibility issues, and financial allocations within the foreign service. She fears the revelations from the Epstein files could represent only a small portion of deeper systemic problems.
Venstre leader Guri Melby echoed this sentiment, calling Juul's decision correct but urging focus on a broad, independent investigation into Epstein's Norwegian connections and systemic failures over many years. Melby's statement reinforces the cross-party pressure for transparency, indicating that the issue transcends traditional political divides and taps into fundamental concerns about governmental accountability.
The Core Issues Under Scrutiny
The push for a commission stems from mounting criticisms related to the foreign service's associations and financial practices. Central to the controversy is the support provided to IPI, a think tank formerly led by Rød-Larsen, which is now under internal review by the Foreign Ministry. The Epstein files have further fueled allegations of improper ties and a lack of oversight, prompting leaders like Listhaug to warn of hidden depths yet to be uncovered.
Mona Juul's departure as ambassador is seen as a direct consequence of these unfolding scandals, but opposition figures insist it is merely an initial response. They contend that individual accountability must be part of a larger examination of institutional culture and processes within Udenriksdepartementet. The call for a Paragraph 19 commission signifies a demand for a mechanism detached from daily politics, capable of delivering unimpeachable findings.
Historical Weight of Paragraph 19
Erna Solberg's invocation of Paragraph 19 highlights the exceptional nature of this proposed inquiry. This parliamentary tool allows the Storting to appoint independent commissions for matters of significant public interest, bypassing standard committee work. Its rare use underscores the perceived severity of the trust crisis at hand. Solberg's framing suggests that only such a high-level, external process can restore confidence in Norway's diplomatic institutions and the political framework that oversees them.
The historical precedent for such commissions involves major state investigations, often during periods of institutional scandal. By drawing this parallel, Høyre is positioning the foreign service allegations as a foundational threat to civic trust. The emphasis on external experts aims to preempt any accusations of partisan interference, ensuring the findings carry weight across the political spectrum and with the Norwegian public.
The Path Forward in the Storting
The proposal now moves into the Storting's procedural arena. While Ap has indicated a preference for handling the matter through the control and constitutional committee, Høyre's insistence on a Paragraph 19 commission sets the stage for a parliamentary debate on the best investigative method. The outcome will test the balance of power and political will for deep structural scrutiny.
Key questions remain about the scope and timeline of any investigation. Will it be limited to the Epstein connections and IPI funding, or will it expand into a comprehensive review of the foreign service's operations and governance? The coming weeks in Oslo will determine whether Norway's political system can muster the resolve to look beneath the surface of the iceberg, as Listhaug warned, and address what lies hidden below.