Ida Wolden Bache to become Norway’s new central bank governor

Ida Wolden Bache will be appointed as the new central bank governor for a term of six years, the Ministry of Finance stated on Thursday.

Minister of Finance Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (SP) will present a recommendation on the appointment as soon as possible, the Ministry of Finance announced.

“It is a short time since we completed a thorough hiring process where Ida Wolden Bache was considered to be very competent for the position. She has already served as central bank governor for a few weeks and fills the role in a good way,” Vedum said.

Stoltenberg’s decision

On Thursday, Jens Stoltenberg stated that he is resigning from the position of central bank governor. Instead, he will continue working as Secretary-General of NATO.

“I would, of course, like to see Jens Stoltenberg become our next central bank governor, but we are in the middle of a dramatic situation in Europe, and I have a great understanding that he prioritizes the important role he has in NATO,” Vedum added.

Wolden Bache and Stoltenberg were singled out as the strongest candidates for the central bank governor position. On February 4, Stoltenberg was appointed. He was scheduled to take over the position in December, and Wolden Bache has been working as interim central bank governor pending his takeover since March 1.

“A good choice”

The Socialist Left Party’s (SV) leader Audun Lysbakken believes it is natural that Jens Stoltenberg continues working at the helm of NATO.

“Ida Wolden Bache is a good choice for the position of central bank governor, and we wish her luck,” he told the newspaper VG.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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