Odd Roger Enoksen | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Enoksen in 2021. | |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 14 October 2021 – 12 April 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Jonas Gahr Støre |
| Preceded by | Frank Bakke-Jensen |
| Succeeded by | Bjørn Arild Gram |
| Minister of Petroleum and Energy | |
| In office 17 October 2005 – 21 September 2007 | |
| Prime Minister | Jens Stoltenberg |
| Preceded by | Thorhild Widvey |
| Succeeded by | Åslaug Haga |
| Deputy to the Prime Minister of Norway | |
| In office 8 October 1999 – 17 March 2000 | |
| Prime Minister | Kjell Magne Bondevik |
| Preceded by | Anne Enger |
| Succeeded by | Post abolished |
| Minister of Local Government | |
| In office 16 March 1999 – 17 March 2000 | |
| Prime Minister | Kjell Magne Bondevik |
| Preceded by | Ragnhild Q. Haarstad |
| Succeeded by | Sylvia Brustad |
| Leader of theCentre Party | |
| In office 14 March 1999 – 25 March 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Anne Enger |
| Succeeded by | Åslaug Haga |
| Member of the Storting | |
| In office 1 October 1993 – 30 September 2005 | |
| Deputy | Inga Kvalbukt |
| Constituency | Nordland |
| Deputy Member of the Storting | |
| In office 1 October 1989 – 30 September 1993 | |
| Constituency | Nordland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1954-09-25)25 September 1954 (age 71) |
| Political party | Centre |
Odd Roger Enoksen (born 25 September 1954 inÅ, Andøy) is aNorwegian politician representing the NorwegianCentre Party.[1] He served as minister of defence from 2021 to 2022. He was also leader of the Centre Party from 1999 to 2003. Further, he served as minister of local government and deputy to the prime minister from 1999 to 2000, and minister of petroleum and energy from 2005 to 2007.
Having anagronomist education,[1] Enoksen previously worked as afarmer, as well as running a business forpeat products.[2]
He was first elected as deputy representative to theStorting in 1989, after a career in local politics. He was elected ordinary representative to the Storting from 1993 until 2005.[2]
Following a cabinet reshuffle on 16 March 1999, Enoksen was appointed Minister of Local Government and Regional Development inKjell Magne Bondevik'sfirst cabinet.[2] On 8 October, he was also appointed deputy to the prime minister. He held both positions until 17 March 2000, when the government resigned following issues of gas power stations.
Enoksen became deputy leader of his party in 1997, and following the retirement ofAnne Enger Lahnstein in 1999, he became party leader.Åslaug Haga replaced him in 2003.[3]
When theRed-Green Coalition in 2005 formed the first majority government in Norway since 1985, Enoksen became theMinister of Petroleum and Energy. He held the position until 2007 when he leftJens Stoltenberg's Cabinet and was replaced by Åslaug Haga. He said he wanted to focus on his family as a main reason for his departure.[4][5]
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On 14 October 2021, Enoksen was appointed minister of defence inStøre's Cabinet.[6]
Upon assuming office, Enoksen was faced with the issue of his native hometown,Andøya'sAir Station being closed down and fighter jets moved toEvenes Air Station. However, further issues at the latter air station were also revealed, notably de-icing pollution and a higher price cost for the move long term.[7]
Enoksen defendedStøre's prospect of sending observers to the summit on a nuclear ban inVienna in early 2022, saying that Norway would "listen to what goes on within the treaty work", and specified it was in no way a breach ofNATO’s view. He also acknowledged that Norway's action could be faced with criticism withinNATO.[8]
AfterNATO expelled several Russian diplomats alleged to be spies, Enoksen expressed hope to mend relations with Russia. He further stressed the importance of Norway having a regional role in the north, but also manding the relations with Russia and having dialog. Enoksen also emphasised that theUnited States would continue to be a close ally and said "there should be no doubt" about it.[9]
Enoksen attended aNATOMinisters of Defence summit between 21 and 22 October inBrussels. Following the meeting, he confirmed that other member states expressed concern that other countries might follow Norway's lead. He also said that some members expressed support for Norway's lead. Despite Enoksen reassuring that Norway's plan to send observers wouldn't breach NATO's view on a nuclear ban, theConservative Party'sIne Eriksen Søreide, reiterated the contrary that it would in fact do exactly that.[10]
Ahead of the revised state budget, Enoksen announced that 50 million NOK would be spent on bettering living conditions in living quarters within theArmy. He did however note that it was up to theChief of Defence to decide what the money would be spent on.[11]
On 16 November, Enoksen metU. S. Secretary of DefenseLloyd Austin atThe Pentagon, where they discussed the security situation in the North. They also signed a road map for further development cooperation between their armed forces. Enoksen expressed to the press that they were to be expecting thatRussia would continue to test and develop weapon systems up North.[12]
In early December, after making a statement where he called the immigration situation at the Polish-Belarusian border for "not acceptable use of resources", Enoksen was criticised by theConservative Party's defence policy spokespersonHårek Elvenes. He questioned Enoksen if the government took a different stance then theEuropean Union,United States and an allied country. Enoksen emphasised: "Norway is, of course, behind our allies. But we as a nation must also have our own opinion on the ways in which our allies react, and whether this is within what we think is acceptable or not". He also stressed that his statement was related to one specific event.[13]
A new Defence Commission was set up on 17 December to determine theNorwegian Army's next long term plan for the 2025–2028 period. Of why a new commission was needed, Enoksen said: "These are complex, complicated and new challenges we face as a society". He also stated that "we are facing a completely new security policy situation".[14]
After the Incidents at Sea treaty had been updated and signed, Enoksen commented in a press release: "This is an important contribution to security and predictability at a time when military activity in our immediate areas is changing". The treaty is intended to prevent dangerous incidents at sea and in the air.[15]
In response to a written question from Red Party leaderBjørnar Moxnes in January 2022, regarding ifNATO had asked Norway to move troops to theBaltic states or near theRussian border; Enoksen responded: "The Armed Forces operates at home and abroad together with allies to protect Norwegian security. The Armed Forces also has forces that are on domestic preparedness and in readiness for NATO. We therefore follow the situation closely". He went on to say: "NATO is constantly monitoring Russia's forces building nearUkraine, and is considering, together with member states, the need to adapt allied presence, including inLithuania". Moxnes' question came in light ofDenmark announcing that they would deploy four fighter jets and onefrigate to patrol near the Baltic states.[16]
In a joint press conference with foreign ministerAnniken Huitfeldt on 14 January, Enoksen states that Europe, Norway and Ukraine were in a serious situation. He said there were continuous reason to be concerned about military force in Ukraine, while also noting that it was Russia's responsibility to deescalate. Enoksen also said that the military exercise Cold Response would still take place as planned, saying: "From the Norwegian side, it is important to maintain a non-escalating profile and that we are open and clear about our own military activity". He added that Russia would be notified about the exercise as they traditionally have.[17]
Enoksen cancelled his scheduled appearance at a security conference inMunich lasting from 18-20 February, travelling back to Norway in order to be "more available to make decisions as the situation stands" regarding Ukraine. He also stated that "there are no good signs right now" regarding Russia. He did also express hope that Russia was still interested in dialog and to have meetings.[18]
Enoksen didn't rule out the possibility of having to deploy Norwegian soldiers to neighbouring countries ofUkraine, ifNATO deems it necessary. He also stated that they are sending more soldiers toLithuania, where Norway already has previously deployed them.[19]
At a press conference on 27 February, Enoksen announced that Ukraine specifically requested helmets and protective vests to be sent, and added that other requests would be considered consecutively. Earlier the same day, Enoksen was present atOslo Gardermoen Airport to oversee the deployment of Norwegian troops on a NATO mission to Lithuania.[20]
Enoksen had to postpone a visit toSweden to meet with his Swedish counterpart,Peter Hultqvist, on 8 and 9 March, after having tested positive forCOVID-19.[21]
Enoksen announced on 16 March that NATO's defence ministers had agreed on a summit that NATO should rearm further. He also announced that the Norwegian government would put forward a plan to strengthen theArmy by Friday that week.[22]
In early April, Hilde Lengali, a former deputy leader of the Nordland Centre Party, delivered a formal complaint against Enoksen, alleging that he had inappropriately touched her and commented on her look about 20 years prior. Enoksen responded saying that he had no recollections of said events with the exception of the mentioned comment. He did however apologise for what happened.[23]
Despite his apology to Lengali, another woman, who remained anonymous, came forward with a similar story about a relationship with Enoksen when he was petroleum and energy minister. In the early hours of 9 April, Enoksen announced that he had asked to resign as defence minister.[24] Later the same day, Prime MinisterJonas Gahr Støre announced that he had accepted Enoksen's resignation.[25] He left his position on 12 April, and was succeeded byBjørn Arild Gram.[26]
Since 2005 Enoksen has been the Managing Director ofAndøya Rocket Range.[2]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Leader of the Centre Party 1999–2003 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Local Government and Regional Development 1999–2000 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Petroleum and Energy 2005–2007 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Defence 2021–2022 | Succeeded by |
