Jonas Gahr Støre

In September, he said that the state budget for 2023 could be "disappointing", noting that several promises from the Hurdal platform would have to be put on hold.

On 27 October, Støre announced a decrease in the fuel tax to be implemented in the 2022 state budget, while expressing concern about the increasing electricity costs. He said the revised budget would be presented on 8 November, adding: "We also want a policy that cuts taxes that hit ordinary people. Both in terms of taxes on fuel and electricity, we will look at this in our additional budget." He also said that the financial situation of municipalities should be strengthened so they could offer better welfare services.

On 29 November, Støre, minister of finance Trygve Slagsvold Vedum and Socialist Left leader Audun Lysbakken presented their re-negotiated state budget for 2022. Støre called it a "good budget [that] has become better". He reiterated that the budget showed that it was "normal people's turn". The negotiations had originally begun on 15 November; the party leaders had been called in the weekend before the budget presentation.

At a press conference held on 11 December, Støre, alongside Vedum and minister of petroleum and energy Marte Mjøs Persen, announced a new security scheme to battle the rising electricity prices. In particular, if the average market price of power were to exceed 70 øre per kilowatt hour for a month, the state would compensate half of the price above this level. The scheme would last throughout December and through March 2022. Støre notably said: "We present a security scheme that will meet the situation that ordinary people experience with extraordinary electricity costs."

In early January 2022, Støre said that COVID-19 measures should not be in place any longer than necessary. He also stated that having a yellow clearance level in upper secondary schools was a target for them, and eventually getting it to green by more testing. He emphasised that the country was not in lockdown but had strict measures that understandably had ramifications for people.

On 3 November, in preparation for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Støre announced that his government would be increasing the climate goal from 50% to 55%. His environment minister, Espen Barth Eide, added that this change would include every sector and climate gasses.

Following the 2022 Oslo shooting, Støre said that "we know that queer people are the targets of hate, threats and violence. The hate against trans people is particularly severe. We will not accept that in Norway."

Støre and his government announced that they would send observers to a summit about a nuclear ban in Vienna in early 2022. By doing this, Norway would become the only NATO country to do so. The action was notably praised by ICAN Norway, with coordinator Tove Widskjold saying that Norway would send important signals to allied countries that nuclear weapons are unacceptable. The Conservative Party parliamentary leader Trond Helleland cast doubt on the action, saying: "The Conservatives are very skeptical of this. Norway should not have any solitude in NATO in relation to this treaty. I assume that the new government intends to show solidarity with the commitments in the NATO membership". When asked if they face an explanation issue, Støre said: "No. When you are an observer, you follow the discussions that take place in one of the areas where disarmament is discussed. Norway has extensive experience in being a driving force in nuclear disarmament."

Following the 2022 Ukraine cyberattack, Støre warned "we need to be more alert" and emphasised that Norway also had to be more alert to hybrid attacks and to consider them a threat to society. He said: "I am concerned that we as individuals and companies and institutions must be aware that this is part of our preparedness." He went on to say that the issue of cyber security would be looked at by the new Defence Commission, to be headed by former justice minister Knut Storberget.

Støre criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino's response to criticism of the 2022 FIFA World Cup host nation, Qatar, saying: "I think this does not set the mood for a sports party. It shows how much this is at stake, and how much he feels he has to defend. Having a football president who invites to a party by scolding large parts of the world is not a good start to a sporting event". He also expressed a waiting interest in 2022's edition, noting: "I don't want to rule out that I will see one game or another, but somehow I haven't familiarized myself with the match schedule. It is a slightly different commitment".

Despite the Labour Party receiving 1% fewer votes and losing one seat, the centre-left won a majority in the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election. As the leader of the largest party, Støre was the clear favourite for the role of prime minister. Two days after the resignation of Erna Solberg and her government on 12 October 2021, Støre was appointed as prime minister by King Harald V, leading a minority government with the Centre Party.

As a member of parliament Støre nominated one of the two recipients of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, Maria Ressa.

Støre led the party into the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, this time securing the red-green coalition a majority with 89 seats (85 being needed for a majority), defeating the blue-blue coalition led by incumbent prime minister Erna Solberg. Pre-government negotiations began on 23 September in Hurdal, after the Centre Party became open to working with the Socialist Left Party. On 29 September, the Socialist Left Party withdrew from negotiations, notably citing disagreements on issues such as petroleum and welfare. Støre expressed disappointment and said he had hoped for a different outcome, but added he respected the party's decision. The Labour Party and Centre Party began government negotiations later that same day. On 8 October, Støre and Vedum announced that the new government's platform would be presented on 13 October and that they were ready to form a government the day after, on 14 October. After Eva Kristin Hansen was nominated as the Labour Party's candidate for President of the Storting, Støre presented the proposal in the Storting on 9 October, and the vote to confirm her happened in writing. Hansen was confirmed with 160 votes in favour and 8 abstaining.

Støre was appointed prime minister on 14 October 2021, following his party's victory in the parliamentary election held in September. He formed a minority government, with the Labour Party and Centre Party.

In an October 2021 interview with the Financial Times, Støre said that if Norway were to halt its petroleum industry, it would only contribute to a further struggle to reach the climate goals. He went on to say "we should develop towards a transition [from fossil fuels to green energy], not close it [the fossil fuels industry] down". Støre further added that it was a paradox that Norway, as Western Europe's largest petroleum producer, also spent significant funds on investment in green technology such as electric cars, carbon capture and storage and offshore wind power. Regarding the country's petroleum fund, he said it was political, but was driven by professionals whose aim was to gain much in return for an acceptable risk. He also emphasised that it was up to the government and Storting to set the boundaries for the fund.

Støre attended the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, where he gave a speech, saying: "The Petroleum Fund is the world's largest state owned fund, invested worldwide. Our goal is to make it the leading fund in responsible investments and in managing climate risk". He further said that the fund would base its ownerships on investments from companies who commit themselves to net zero. He also stressed it was time to take the step forward.

In August 2017, Støre received criticism when it was revealed that workers in a building company hired to do work on his holiday home had not paid taxes or VAT.

In a 2015 BBC interview, Støre was criticized by Geir Lundestad, Nobel Prize Committee Secretary, for trying to dissuade the Norwegian Nobel Committee from awarding the prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo in 2010, for fear it would strain Norway's business relationship with Beijing. The Nobel committee, chaired by former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland, ignored the warnings and honored Liu. Subsequently, Støre ruled out apologising to China over the award.

On 14 June 2014, he was elected leader of Labour Party, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg, who had been appointed Secretary General of NATO. He also became Leader of the Opposition. Støre led the party into the 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election, but the red-green coalition lost by four seats needed for a majority of 85 seats. His party was criticised for taking victory for granted. In late 2017, several women alleged that the party deputy leader Trond Giske had behaved inappropriately against them. Initially, Støre stated that Giske hadn't behaved as such after an internal discussion regarding the matter. In early January 2018, Giske decided to resign as deputy leader as a result of the allegations, while reasoning from the party was also given that he had breached rules of sexual misconduct. Giske's successor, Bjørnar Skjæran, was nominated on 19 March 2019. Following the nomination, Støre praised Skjæran, saying he would be the clear voice from the North.

On 21 September 2012, Jens Stoltenberg commenced a cabinet reshuffle, and moved Støre to head the Ministry of Health and Care Services. He was succeeded as foreign minister by Espen Barth Eide. While serving as health minister, he was nicknamed Helse-Jonas (Health Jonas).

On 20 July 2011, Støre was one of the main targets of Anders Behring Breivik's attacks.

During Støre's tenure as Foreign Minister, Norway was one of the first governments of the Western world to recognise the Hamas government. In 2011 it became known that Støre had been in direct contact with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal. Former Conservative Prime Minister Kåre Willoch has also emphasized that dialogue with Hamas is important. Støre has hailed the humanitarian work of Mads Gilbert and Erik Fosse in the Gaza Strip, and both Støre and former Conservative Prime Minister Kåre Willoch wrote endorsements for their book Eyes in Gaza on the Gaza War. Støre wrote that Gilbert and Fosse "have shown great courage and acted in accordance with the best medical traditions, namely by helping the oppressed". Støre has condemned Israeli occupation of Palestinian land as contrary to international law. In 2015 Støre said a Labour Party government would recognise the State of Palestine.

As foreign minister, Støre oversaw Norway's participation in the 2011 NATO-led military intervention in Libya. Norway's participation in the intervention was controversial on the far left, and the communist party Red reported him to the police for alleged war crimes.

In the 2009 general election in Norway, Støre was elected to the Norwegian parliament, the Stortinget, representing Oslo. He has been re-elected since.

On 14 January 2008, a suicide bomber struck the Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, where Støre was staying. Støre was unhurt in the incident, which killed six people including Norwegian journalist Carsten Thomassen. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon stated that Støre was the target of the attack, but this claim was rejected by a Taliban spokesperson. Støre canceled the rest of his visit to Afghanistan the day after the attack.

Store criticized the expansion of influence of the G20 in response to the financial crisis of 2007–2008, calling it "sorely lacking in legitimacy" and comparing it to the Congress of Vienna.

In 2006, Støre voiced concern over the 2006 Lebanon War. Støre called Israel's reaction "totally unacceptable" and referred to it as "a dangerous escalation," while also condemning Hezbollah's attack on Israeli soldiers.

In 2005, Støre was appointed foreign minister in Jens Stoltenberg's government, serving in that position until 2012. When he joined the cabinet he was perceived as part of a group of "West End executives" and confidants of Stoltenberg that represented a shift to the right. Nevertheless, numerous polls showed that Støre was the most popular member of the Stoltenberg government.

Støre was executive chairman of the ECON Analyse think tank from 2002 to 2003, and secretary general of the Norwegian Red Cross from 2003 to 2005.

Støre was State Secretary and Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister's Office in the first government of Jens Stoltenberg from 2000 to 2001. The government was inspired by the British Labour Party's New Labour agenda and oversaw the most widespread privatization in Norwegian history.

In 1986 Støre was briefly a teaching fellow in the Harvard Negotiation Project at Harvard Law School. From 1986 to 1989 he was a researcher at the Norwegian School of Management, working on the Scenarier 2000 project with sociologist Andreas Hompland and economist Petter Nore.

Støre grew up in West End Oslo and is a multimillionaire. He underwent naval officer training at the Norwegian Naval Academy and then studied political science at Sciences Po in Paris from 1981 to 1985. Originally associated with the Conservative Party, he was a career special adviser and director-general in the Prime Minister's Office from 1989 to 1997, serving under prime ministers Jan Syse, Gro Harlem Brundtland, and Thorbjørn Jagland. He became known as a protégé of Brundtland in the 1990s, and her mentorship inspired him to become a member of the Labour Party in 1995. In 1998, he followed Brundtland to the World Health Organization, where he became her chief of staff. Støre was State Secretary and Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister's Office in the first government of Jens Stoltenberg; the government was inspired by New Labour and oversaw the most widespread privatization in Norwegian history. He later served as Secretary-General of the Norwegian Red Cross from 2003 to 2005. Like his political mentors Brundtland and Stoltenberg, Støre is associated with the business-friendly right-wing of the Labour Party. When he joined the cabinet in 2005, he was perceived as part of a group of "West End executives" and confidants of Stoltenberg that represented a shift to the right. His tenure as foreign minister nevertheless made him the most popular member of the cabinet.

Støre was previously affiliated with the Conservative Party, and applied for a position as a political advisor on foreign affairs for the party in the 1980s. He was offered the job but subsequently turned it down. In 1989, Støre became special adviser in the prime minister's office of Gro Harlem Brundtland. Brundtland's mentorship inspired him to become a member of the Labour Party in 1995, when he also became a director-general (ekspedisjonssjef) in the Prime Minister's Office. From 1998, he was executive director (Chief of Staff) in the World Health Organization under the leadership of Gro Harlem Brundtland.

Following the overruling of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court of the United States, Støre and several other Norwegian politicians, including culture minister Anette Trettebergstuen and Conservative Party leader Erna Solberg, criticised the decision. Støre stated: "This is a serious step backwards for women's rights. The 1972 Supreme Court ruling helped secure the right to self-determined abortion in the United States. States can now enact legislation that in practice bans abortion or severely curtails the law, and it will affect women in those states and increase social inequalities". He said that decisions made in the United States would affect Europe and the rest of the world, while also calling for Norway to be on the alert.

Jonas Gahr Støre (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈjùːnɑs gɑˈʂtø̂ːrə]; born 25 August 1960) is a Norwegian politician who has served as the prime minister of Norway since 2021 and has been Leader of the Labour Party since 2014. He served under Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2012 and as Minister of Health and Care Services from 2012 to 2013. He has been a Member of the Storting for Oslo since 2009.

Born in Oslo, Støre is the son of the wealthy ship broker Ulf Jonas Støre (1925–2017) and librarian Unni Gahr (1931–2021). He grew up in the Ris neighbourhood in West End Oslo. Støre is a multi-millionaire, with a fortune of around 60,000,000 NOK (approx. US$7,100,000 in 2016). He owns a large part of the family company Femstø. Most of the family fortune comes from the 1977 sale of Norwegian company Jøtul, which was run by his maternal grandfather Johannes Gahr. Støre's paternal grandfather was prominent business executive Jonas Henry Støre, the CEO and chairman of explosives manufacturer Norsk Sprængstofindustri. Støre's great-grandfather Paul Edvart Støre was a Conservative Party mayor and deputy member of the Norwegian parliament from Levanger, and the family were affluent farmers in Trøndelag in the 19th century.