A politician criticized by refugees fell in love with a young refugee woman, and the Minister of Fisheries, Norwegian Fisheries, resigned unusually
The Norwegian government has announced that two ministers will resign within the year due to scandals.
Fisheries Minister Pere Sandberg (58), deputy leader of Norway's right-wing populist Progressive Party, which is famously tough on accepting immigrants and refugees.
It was discovered that he fell in love with a 28-year-old refugee woman from Iran, a country that the party had continued to criticize, and went on a love trip in July during summer vacation.
Bring work mobile phones to Iran and China without declaring them to the government
The Norwegian National Security Police has identified Iran, Russia, and China as countries with security concerns, and ministers They should be very careful when visiting.
The fisheries minister did not inform the government or the fisheries ministry in advance that he was traveling privately to Iran, and brought a "work phone", thus breaking government rules.
The cell phone is confiscated by the police as it is likely that it has been hacked.
The fisheries minister was found to have had a work cell phone on a previous trip to China.
If the phone had been hacked, national level information could have been leaked to other countries, jeopardizing national security.
The ``deputy leader'' of a political party critical of immigrants and refugees falls in love with a young Iranian refugee woman
The fisheries minister's trip was discovered on July 27. Photos from the trip were found on social media and reported to Norwegian media.
The 'mysterious woman' in the photo was initially seen as a business partner, but was scrutinized by reporters, and the minister publicly admitted that they were 'lovers'.
Mr Behare Letnes came to Norway in early 2000 as an asylum seeker from Iran.
My application was accepted in 2008 and I am now living as a Norwegian. As she was a former Miss Iran, her beautiful looks and her young age made her romantic relationship with an older minister all the more prominent.
A woman who is interested in the seafood business becomes the lover of the Minister of Fisheries
The problem is even more complicated. The Norwegian Minister of Fisheries is also the Minister of Public Relations for Farmed Norwegian Salmon.
My lover, Mr. Letnes, has a registered fish export company, and on LinkedIn, a business social network, he calls himself an "advisor between Norway and Iran."
If the ``fishery minister'' had a close relationship with a ``woman involved in the seafood business,'' the fairness would be questioned. Letnes counters that she only registered a company and that she does not actually do business with fish imports and exports.
Are you a spy?
The two have only been dating for about two or three months, but Mr. Letnes has said that he wants to work alongside the Minister of Fisheries as an advisor. revelation. The process of going beyond the position of a work partner and reaching a romantic relationship has become a gossip topic.
Mr.
Attacking media outlets for 'fake news'
The Minister of Fisheries initially attacked the media outlets for spreading 'fake news' and 'conspiracy theories' in the Norwegian media. . Some of the chief editors were sent late-night emails that appeared to be threats.
However, Prime Minister Arna Solberg (Conservative) pointed out that while defending the fisheries minister, there was no doubt that the rules within the government had been broken.
The recklessness of the minister, who is obsessed with love, did not stop there.
Norwegian Minister "Iran is a wonderful country"
Deputy leader of the Progressive Party, who should have been critical of the country of Iran, and is cautious about relations with Iran. He is one of the ministers representing the Norwegian government.
However, Norwegian state broadcaster NRK made a live broadcast of remarks encouraging Norwegians to travel to Iran, saying ``Iran is a wonderful country'' and ``maybe the most misunderstood country in the world.'' And a barrage on my Facebook.
The minister's PR remark, "I don't support the Iranian government, but the Iranian people are wonderful," surprised not only the people but also the members and supporters of the Progressive Party.
The deputy leader of the Progressive Party, which is supposed to be tough on immigration and refugee policies, is destroying the image. The party has also criticized refugees who have taken refuge in Norway but who travel to their "home country" for holidays.
Norwegian citizens show off their lovey-dovey relationship
The two, who are in love, also appeared together on a live broadcast of the national broadcaster. A mysterious scene unfolded, exposing lovey-dovey scenes to the entire nation, such as a woman telling the reason why she fell in love with the minister, and promoting that Iran is not a very dangerous country.
It turns out that the fisheries minister also attended a New Year's Eve party hosted by the Iranian embassy "as a minister" at the end of the year. The problem became even bigger because it could not be helped if it was seen as a scheme of friendly relations between governments.
The Norwegian Prime Minister replied that the incident would not affect the relationship between the Trump administration and the Norwegian government, which is facing heightened tensions with Iran.
Lack of support from right-wing supporters, isolated vice-leader
Speaking of the Progressive Party, it is a unique political party in the Diet due to its radical remarks. Norwegian traditional media, which has a strong left-leaning tendency, often give harsh reports.
In the midst of the storm, they are cheered by their supporters, their party peers, and a handful of right-wing news sites. But there are few voices protecting the love-obsessed deputy leader. Calls for his resignation as minister continued from within the right wing.
Prioritizing romance over national security
The real reason Mr. Sandberg did not report his trip to the government was also his divorced and quarreling ex-wife (a Progressive Party member and Government officials) and fear of critical reports from the media, her daughter reveals.
Are you more afraid of your ex-wife than national security? He was criticized for prioritizing his personal family problems and love affairs without being aware of his responsibility and position as a minister.
Resigned as fisheries minister and deputy party leader
Summer vacation is over, just before tough questions from the opposition party begin in the Diet. On the 13th, he formally announced his resignation as fisheries minister.
If he did not resign himself, there was a possibility that the opposition party would submit a no-confidence motion.
Ms. Sandberg has already posted a number of photos of her love trip on Facebook and remains unable to comprehend the series of events she blames herself for.
Shortly after it was announced that he was stepping down as fisheries minister, he announced that he was also stepping down as deputy leader of the Progressive Party. Progressive Party officials must have been relieved.
When the minister is addicted to love and can't see what's going on
Prior to the safety of the nation, you should prioritize yourself. A woman who came to Norway as a refugee and captured the power of a party critical of the refugees. A male politician who is obsessed with love and loses sight of his surroundings.
We are tragic heroines.
The romance between the two people shook the position of Prime Minister Solberg and the government, as well as the image of the Progressive Party, which was supposed to be critical of immigrants and refugees.
Sarcasm has been reported that the series of disturbances is "no longer a drama".
Letnes described the riot as a "witch hunt" and the couple is expected to hold a press conference and hit back at the press.
It may be those who have supported the Progressive Party who are most dismayed by this turmoil.
Photo&Text: Asaki Abumi
