50 Facts About Anniken Huitfeldt

Anniken Scharning Huitfeldt was born on 29 November 1969 and is a Norwegian historian and politician for the Labour Party.

Anniken Huitfeldt has served as the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States since 2024.

Anniken Huitfeldt has a sister, Astrid, and a brother, Anders.

Anniken Huitfeldt is a niece of politician Fritz Huitfeldt and granddaughter of judge Otte Huitfeldt.

Anniken Huitfeldt is married to Ola Petter Flem, with whom she has three children.

Anniken Huitfeldt attended Jessheim Upper Secondary School from 1985 to 1988, and then worked for one year as county secretary of the Workers' Youth League, the youth wing of the Labour Party.

Anniken Huitfeldt was a central board member of the Norges Gymnasiastsamband from 1987 to 1988, and in her native Ullensaker she was a member of the municipal equality committee.

Anniken Huitfeldt chaired the Ullensaker branch of the Workers' Youth League from 1985 to 1988 and became a central board member in 1990.

Anniken Huitfeldt was a board member of the Falstad Centre from 2000 to 2005 and Save the Children Norway from 2001 to 2005.

Anniken Huitfeldt was elected as a full representative to Parliament for the first time in 2005, and has been re-elected since.

Anniken Huitfeldt led the Labour Party's women's network for twelve years, between 2007 and 2019.

Anniken Huitfeldt stepped down from the position in March 2019, after having been elected the leader of the Akershus Labour Party, succeeding Sverre Myrli.

Anniken Huitfeldt served as Minister of Children and Equality from 2008 to 2009, Minister of Culture from 2009 to 2012 and Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion from 2012 to 2013 under Jens Stoltenberg.

Anniken Huitfeldt was appointed following the resignation of Manuela Ramin-Osmundsen following a scandal involving cronyism.

In March 2009, Anniken Huitfeldt met with Menije Ravandost, who had wrongly lost her residence permit after having been smuggled to Iran against her will.

Anniken Huitfeldt described Ravandost's story as giving "a useful impression", and further added: "her story is important so that we in the ministry can make good laws and rules".

Anniken Huitfeldt caused controversy in January 2010 when it was announced that she was travelling to see the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, with her husband, Ola Flem.

Anniken Huitfeldt defended the action, arguing that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended it, and that the trip was a representation mission, and that her husband in this case, served as her companion.

In March 2010, Anniken Huitfeldt announced that it was unnecessary for the state to take over the ownership of the digital variant of Store norske leksikon despite a prior proposal that ensured it would be taken down by 1 July 2010.

Anniken Huitfeldt further stated that people should be allowed to utilise sources they seem fit.

Anniken Huitfeldt stated that "We must treat the music industry as an industry, and then it is important to have this report made".

On 21 September 2012, Stoltenberg commenced a reshuffle where Anniken Huitfeldt was appointed minister of labour and social inclusion.

Anniken Huitfeldt promised that 20 million NOK would be spent on improving control inspections on Norwegian rigs.

In late January 2013, Anniken Huitfeldt encouraged people to notify if they hear or overhear someone boasting about having tricked the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, following the release of the 2012 report of social security fraud.

Anniken Huitfeldt specified it regarded those who traveled out as "foreign warriors", but emphasised that every individual had the right to consular aid.

Anniken Huitfeldt further added that the government was worried about those with children.

Anniken Huitfeldt further said that contracts could still be given directly before the transition expires on 25 December 2023, and last up to ten years.

Anniken Huitfeldt expressed concerns about the humanitarian situation in Syria, specifically citing human suffering as the seasons change.

Anniken Huitfeldt stated that Norway would be assisting with 107,5 NOK to the United Nations and human aid organisations.

Anniken Huitfeldt expressed sympathy for Poland regarding the ongoing migrant crisis at its border with Belarus.

Anniken Huitfeldt stated that "Poland is in a very difficult situation", and criticised Belarusian authorities for using vulnerable people as foreign policy leverage.

Anniken Huitfeldt said it "would have strong economic and political consequences if they utilise military means".

Anniken Huitfeldt expressed concerns over a possible build-up to a possible armed conflict.

Anniken Huitfeldt made it clear that she can't interfere in foreign court situations, and added: "Norway expects that the United Kingdom, the United States and all other countries to comply with their international human rights obligations".

On 2 January 2022, Anniken Huitfeldt expressed concerns over the upcoming EU negotiations about EEA funds on background of Hungary blocking proposals in the EEA council in November 2021.

Anniken Huitfeldt called it unfortunate that they were willing to let the ongoing disagreements with Norway affect internal EEA cooperation.

Anniken Huitfeldt expressed concerns about democracy in both Hungary and Poland, and emphasised that Norway doesn't want conflicts, but would not back down on their demands on the rule of law and independent civil society.

Anniken Huitfeldt stated that Norway and other supporting countries have asked Israel to give documentation on their allegations against the organisations.

Anniken Huitfeldt stated: "We have consulted with our Nordic neighbors and will close the airspace to Russian flights at the same time as they do".

Anniken Huitfeldt emphasised that their participation didn't violate international law and that it shouldn't be viewed as an armed attack against Russia.

Anniken Huitfeldt didn't want to speculate if Norway would actually exclude more Russian diplomats, arguing that they had already excluded the ones they wanted to exclude.

Anniken Huitfeldt stated: "We call on the Chinese authorities to respect all their human rights obligations, stop the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Uyghurs and other minorities, and to cooperate fully with UN human rights institutions to ensure compliance with binding international human rights obligations".

Anniken Huitfeldt asserted that Norway would not be a free-harbour for Russian vessels.

Anniken Huitfeldt added that Norway has put forward their views to the Chinese, and called Russia a "dangerous neighbour" and unpredictable in the current circumstances.

Anniken Huitfeldt explained that only diplomats would ensure the handover, and expressed that cooperation with Russia was still possible, but not on a political level.

Anniken Huitfeldt expressed that it would be difficult to preserve the Arctic Council.

Anniken Huitfeldt branded them "not genuine diplomats" and that their work was a threat against Norwegian interests.

Anniken Huitfeldt further stated that Norway will make it harder to gain diplomatic status in the country.

Anniken Huitfeldt additionally criticised Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Anniken Huitfeldt was rumoured as a possible candidate to become the next Norwegian ambassador to the US some time after her dismissal as foreign minister.