Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg gave opposition leader Sylvi Listhaug a clear guarantee during Wednesday's parliamentary question time. He promised the Government Pension Fund Global would not become part of budget negotiations.
Listhaug challenged Stoltenberg directly in the Storting, Norway's parliament. She demanded assurance the oil fund would remain protected from political bargaining.
Stoltenberg responded clearly. "We will not enter into any agreement that conflicts with what we did yesterday," he stated.
Listhaug immediately accepted the guarantee. "Thank you for that, we will take that guarantee with us," she replied.
The exchange follows Tuesday's controversial parliamentary decision. The government secured majority support with conservative parties Høyre and Frp to reshape the oil fund's ethics council.
This political move effectively pauses the Ethics Council's work. The independent body can no longer recommend excluding companies from the fund's portfolio.
The suspension will continue until new ethical guidelines are established. The council normally assesses whether companies violate ethical standards set by the Finance Ministry.
The government's alignment with right-wing parties marks a significant political shift. It demonstrates the practical compromises needed to advance legislation in Norway's multi-party system.