27 Facts About Eskil Pedersen

Anders Behring Breivik, the perpetrator of the attacks, stated that Eskil Pedersen was one of his three primary targets.

Eskil Pedersen was elected as the first openly gay leader of the Workers' Youth League.

Eskil Pedersen served as the leader of AUF in Telemark and Oslo.

Eskil Pedersen was elected deputy leader of AUF from 2006 to 2010.

Eskil Pedersen was a board member in the Telemark branch of No to the EU, and has served as a political advisor to AUF on election campaigns and environmental matters.

Eskil Pedersen served as deputy member of the Oslo city council between 2007 and 2011.

Eskil Pedersen became the leader of AUF when he was elected to the post on 17 October 2010, narrowly defeating Asmund Aukrust for the leadership.

Eskil Pedersen succeeded Martin Henriksen who was later appointed senior advisor to the Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Lisbeth Berg-Hansen.

Eskil Pedersen was reelected to a second term as leader in October 2012.

Eskil Pedersen would seek the seat of retiring veteran Sigvald Hansen, however according to analysts he would face stiff competition to secure the party nomination.

Eskil Pedersen was however quickly endorsed both by the AUF and his local Skien party chapter.

Eskil Pedersen responded by vowing to relocate to Porsgrunn in Telemark should he be elected.

In March 2014, Eskil Pedersen announced his resignation, saying that he would not seek re-election as leader of the AUF.

Eskil Pedersen is an outspoken opponent to the policies of the Progress Party.

In 2013, Eskil Pedersen compared Progress Party leader Siv Jensen to the evil antagonist Sauron from The Lord of the Rings.

The comments were in the run-up to the 2013 parliamentary election, which Eskil Pedersen described as a "struggle between good and evil".

Eskil Pedersen has voiced fierce opposition to the EU Temporary Agency Work Directive.

Eskil Pedersen has called for tougher penalties, including prison time, for employment agencies which were found to exploit their employees, as well as being involved in social dumping.

Eskil Pedersen has called for the Norwegian government to end economical ties to international corporations who violated Norwegian labour laws.

Eskil Pedersen is openly gay since coming out at the age of 18.

Eskil Pedersen frequently appears in the annual Gay Pride through Oslo.

When in April 2014, the Ecclesiastical Synod of the Church of Norway decided against the introduction of special liturgy for same-sex marriage, Eskil Pedersen called it a "shameful stain" on the Church.

Eskil Pedersen, who is still a member, said he himself hopes to one day be legally married in the church.

Eskil Pedersen claimed some of his clients questioned Pedersen's leadership of the organization but felt unable to communicate this publicly.

Leaders of rival parties subsequently defended Eskil Pedersen, calling the criticism "tasteless".

Eskil Pedersen stated that despite some opposition the refurbishing plans had wide support within the AUF.

Eskil Pedersen was fined the equivalent of approximately US$700, and given a suspended prison sentence.