Norwegian Embassy Hosts Finance Minister’s Book Launch Amid Controversy
The Norwegian embassy in Copenhagen recently extended an invitation to Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg to launch his new book within its historic walls. This move, however, has stirred some unease, as outlined by a former top diplomat who expressed concerns over the potential ambiguities it creates.
In a poignant visual moment captured at the event, Stoltenberg stood alongside the Norwegian ambassador to Denmark, Tone Allers, highlighting both the gravity and the celebration entwined in the book’s significance. The book, titled On My Watch, reflects on his tenure at NATO, and its launch attracted attention not just for its content, but for the timing as well.
Back in October, Stoltenberg faced considerable backlash for embarking on a book tour shortly after the unveiling of the government’s new city budget. Taking a break to promote På min vakt, he traversed various countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, to share insights from his NATO experience.
Notably, Stoltenberg informed the Prime Minister’s office ahead of the event of his intent to receive royalties from the sales of his book. According to reports from VG, he adheres to industry norms whereby authors typically earn 75 percent of foreign royalty income, while the remainder is divided between the publisher and agent. Furthermore, the profits from Norwegian sales are earmarked for Utøya AS.
As the discussions surrounding his book and its implications continue to unfold, the duality of celebration and scrutiny seems to shadow Stoltenberg wherever he goes.