Norwegian Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen is stepping down from his post after having a sexual relationship with a much younger woman several years ago. The minister’s resignation is the right decision and necessary after what has become known in the case, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said at a press conference in Oslo on Saturday.
He couldn’t say anything about details. Støre made it clear that he would never have appointed Enoksen minister if he had known about the relationship when the government was formed in October 2021.
Regrets relationship with student
Enoksen, now 67, had previously confirmed to “Verdens Gang” newspaper that he had been in a relationship with a young woman and regretted the relationship. He met the student at a meeting in Northern Norway in 2005, before meeting him again later on a school trip to the Norwegian parliament. Enoksen was then 50, the politically interested woman only 18. After this trip, the two reportedly started a sexual relationship.
Enoksen told the “VG” that ministers can also have private lives and extramarital affairs. He had no power over her. The woman said the relationship shaped her life for 15 years and she felt shame, guilt and fear that she would not be believed.
Enoksen was a Member of Parliament for his Farmers Center party in 2005 and was appointed Minister of Oil and Energy at the end of the year. He has been Minister of Defense under Støre since the end of 2021.
Source: Krone
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