Jens Stoltenberg. Way to the top

Modern European politicians and other functionaries of the state machine are highly professional. Their active work is sometimes accompanied by incomprehensible actions and words for the Slavic man, but quite understandable from the point of view of a resident of the European Union. But in this article we will talk about a truly real master of political games, whose name is Jens Stoltenberg.

Birth

The future active figure in the political sphere of Norway and Europe was born on March 16, 1959. Jens Stoltenberg is the son of former Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg. For the first few years (1960-1963), Jens lived in Yugoslavia, where his father worked as ambassador. The older sister, Camila, had a very big influence on her younger brother. As a result, Jens Stoltenberg took an active part in mass demonstrations in which people opposed the war unleashed by the US against Vietnam. As for education, the Norwegian graduated from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Oslo in 1987.

Career in politics

Since 1979, energetic and promising Jens has been intensified in public activities, journalism and politics. Initially, he is a journalist of the influential newspaper Arbeiderbladet, which is considered to be the mouthpiece of the left-wing parties in Norway. In 1981, the young man throws journalism and completely devotes himself to political activities, becoming a spokesman for the Workers' Party. In the period 1985-1989, Jens Stoltenberg was the head of the youth wing of the Norwegian Workers' Party.

The politician made an impressive career breakthrough in 1993, taking the post of Minister of Trade and Energy in the government team Gro Harlem Brundtland. After this position in 1996-97, Stoltenberg worked as Minister of Finance under the leadership of the head of the Cabinet of Thorbjørn Jagland.

Another key event in the life of the Norwegian can be considered the election of his prime minister in March 2000. Unfortunately, this composition of the government lasted only about a year, and in September 2001 the worst result in the elections for the Norwegian Labor Party in its history - 24% - was recorded.

Due to the crisis formed within the party, Jens Stoltenberg (his biography can be an example for the younger generation) becomes her new head in 2002. After a while, he was able to ensure victory for his team in the next parliamentary elections. On September 12, 2005, a coalition was formed, and a month later, Jens began his work as head of government.

2009 was also a triumph for the politician. He was again at the helm of the Cabinet. Moreover, among his subordinates the fullest gender equality was manifested : on the posts of ministers there were 10 women and 10 men.

Surprisingly, but the fact: Jens once worked with the KGB, but then he also broke these contacts, telling all the Norwegian police.

Work in NATO

The Council of the North Atlantic Alliance on March 28, 2014 determined that Stoltenberg would assume the post of head of the organization on October 1, 2014, after the termination of the term of office of Anders Rasmussen. It is noteworthy that Jens was the first Norwegian who managed to get to this position. By the way, his nomination was initiated by German Chancellor Merkel.

To date, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Is quite active in his work. Of his most important statements, one can note his words about the threat that Russia is carrying through pursuing an aggressive foreign policy. Also, the politician pointed to the urgent need to increase the military strength of the alliance and even build up nuclear capabilities. The Norwegian paid special attention to the protection of the eastern states that are part of the NATO bloc.

Personal life

Jens Stoltenberg (the family in his life also occupies the most important place) is married. His wife is Ingrid Shulerud. They met at the age of seventeen, when both ran for the post of representative of the student association. At the same time, Ingrid tries to lead a non-public life, in order to maximally keep their family nest untouchable and closed to society.

The couple brings up two children - a son and a daughter. Also, the politician had two sisters, one of whom, Nini, died due to drug addiction. Another sister works as a medical researcher.