Ola Borten Moe, deputy leader of the Center Party, has been one of Norway’s most controversial politicians and government ministers for years. On Friday he had to call it quits, after admitting to breaking both government rules and state law, and becoming the latest minister to get caught in a major conflict of interest.
Moe’s mistakes and lack of good judgment made it impossible for him to continue, even though he’d hoped to “clean up” after himself and hang on to his post as Norway’s government minister in charge of research and higher eduation. As news spread of what he himself said were “terribly wrong” decisions regarding his personal investments and failure to evaluate them, he had no choice but to step down.
“I thought I could manage to clean up, but see now after the reaction today that it’s not possible,” Moe said at the hastily called press conference. “Through the day that became clear for me, my party leader and the prime minister.” He said he spoke with Center Party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (who’s also Norway’s finance minister) but not directly with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, only with Støre’s office.
Støre later described Moe’s conflicts of interest as “extremely serious,” and noted that it’s critical Norwegians have confidence in their government. “The consequences that this case has for confidence in him and the government are not in line with him continuing as a member of the government. The conclusion was that he resign as minister. It’s a decision I support.”