Norwegian politicians hope Epstein files inquiry will restore faith in democracy | Norway
The head of Norway’s parliament’s oversight committee said the Epstein files had shaken Norway’s faith in democracy, as a wide-ranging investigation into links between the foreign office and the late sex offender began.
An independent commission to examine information brought to light by the Jeffrey Epstein documents released by the US Justice Department was established on Wednesday after the Norwegian parliament voted unanimously to establish it last month.
The commission was instructed to go back more than 30 years, including the beginning of the 1993-95 Oslo accords, and examine relationships between Epstein and his network and current or former Norwegian politicians and civil servants. The commission will look at whether these relations have “any consequences for Norwegian interests and security”.
It is also responsible for overseeing Norway’s campaigns for leadership positions in international organizations and the allocation of development aid and other public funds to them.
The release of the Epstein files in January sent shockwaves through Norway after the foreign ministry and several members of the royal family were named.
Per-Willy Amundsen, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on scrutiny and constitutional affairs that commissioned the independent investigation into the Epstein files, said Norwegians generally viewed themselves as “an open, democratic and well-functioning society without corruption”. But he added that the Epstein files had damaged trust in politicians in the eyes of most people.
“So in a way, we’ve been hit hard by this situation. So we’re completely dependent on trying to rebuild that trust,” he said. “And that’s why it’s so important to have a completely independent commission, protected by law, with completely free hands to find the facts and present them to the Storting. [parliament].”
Many police investigations are already ongoing and the commission will pass any relevant information it discovers to the police.
Amundsen, a member of the far-right Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)He said: “There are very central figures in the Norwegian political establishment [who are named in the Epstein files] and we have to find out how deep it goes. “And find all the facts so people can rebuild their trust in Norwegian institutions.”
It is feared that the Epstein files could affect Norway’s international reputation as a peace broker and peace advocate.
“This is something that needs to be concerned about in Norway and worries many people,” Amundsen said. “We have this reputation internationally, and this is something that can change the way we look at Norway. But at the same time, it is very important to find the facts and pursue the truth, to gain trust in people and also in foreign relations.”
However, the commission will not examine crown princess Mette-Marit’s relationship with Epstein; The constitution states that this is not a matter for parliament. But Amundsen said his findings could have political consequences, especially for the ruling Labor Party.
“They have been the most involved party in government since the last world war, they have a wide network of people in diplomacy and have been running the foreign ministry for many years,” he added.
Speaking last month, Labor prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the Epstein files clearly showed that “it is possible to buy and abuse influence if you are rich enough”.
Støre said connections between “trusted and centrally located” Norwegians were “evidenced” in the Epstein files, adding: “Reasonable questions have been raised about whether the connections violated the law and many aspects of society’s ethical regulations.”
“It is vital that these circumstances and the questions they raise are clarified and the facts are brought to the table.”
