Politics Norway's parliament votes in favor of Epstein Commission
After the involvement of Norway's foreign policy elite in the Epstein scandal came to light, the country's parliament has unanimously voted to set up an independent commission of inquiry. The commission is to examine the work of the Foreign Service and other authorities over the past decades, as reported by the Norwegian news agency NTB.
17.03.2026, 18:44
SDA
"It is crucial that the facts are put on the table," said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in parliament. The parliamentary control committee had previously proposed the establishment of the commission. The parliamentary presidium is to appoint its members.
Foreign policy celebrities involved in the case
The Norwegian ex-head of government and former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, the former ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, Mona Juul, and her husband, the former top diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, are already in the focus of the authorities because of their contacts with the US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to NTB, Jagland and Juul are being investigated on suspicion of serious corruption and Rød-Larsen on suspicion of aiding and abetting serious corruption.
Former Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende resigned as head of the World Economic Forum after his contacts with Epstein became known. Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit is said to have cultivated a close friendship with the sex offender.
Commission of inquiry to turn over every stone
The planned investigation is to go back to 1993. According to the NTB, it will examine the relationships between Norwegian authorities and external organizations, foundations and networks in which Norway was involved.
