11 Facts About Kristin Halvorsen

Kristin Halvorsen served as Minister of Finance from 2005 to 2009 and as Minister of Education from 2009 to 2013.

Kristin Halvorsen served as the party's leader from 1997 to 2012 and a member of parliament representing Oslo, from 1989 to 2013.

Kristin Halvorsen stepped down as leader in 2012, and was succeeded by Audun Lysbakken on 11 March.

Kristin Halvorsen served as a vice member to the Parliament from 1985, and was elected member of Parliament in 1989, representing the county of Oslo, a seat she has held ever since.

Kristin Halvorsen has been a member of the parliamentary standing Committee on Finance and the Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs.

Kristin Halvorsen is presently a member of the Election Committee and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Socialist Left Party's parliamentary group, but is on leave from these positions while sitting in government.

Kristin Halvorsen was the first Norwegian party leader to launch a blog.

Kristin Halvorsen's parents are Leif Georg Halvorsen, a civil engineer, and Marit Larsen, a teacher.

On 5 January 2006, Kristin Halvorsen caused a controversy by calling for boycott of Israeli products as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinians.

The government and the other parties in the coalition distanced themselves from these remarks, and Kristin Halvorsen later apologized as foreign matters were outside her government position.

In January 2009, Kristin Halvorsen took part in anti-Israel protests which erupted into violent riots.