Ministry of Defence (1885–)
Established: 1. September 1885
The Ministry of Defence is a Government Office with responsibility for the formation and implementation of Norwegian security and defence policy.
On 1 September 1885, the Ministry of the Army (of 1846) had its name changed to the Ministry of Defence. Affairs were transferred from the abolished Ministry of the Navy (of 1885).
On 26 November 1920, aviation affairs, except mail transport, were assigned to the Ministry of Defence.
During the Second World War 1940-1945, Norwegian ministries were working under the legal leadership of Johan Nygaardsvold’s Government in exile in London, and under Nazi Germany’s occupation authorities in Oslo (marked NS).
The Ministry of Defence did not exist as a separate ministry in Oslo during the war. Remaining affairs were transferred to the Ministry of the Interior (of 1940) NS, in December 1944 to the Ministry of Finance and Customs NS.
On 8 May 1945, the ministry structure in Oslo was re-established as it was on 9 April 1940. At the same time, pilotage affairs were transferred from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Trade (of 1916).
On 3 August 1945, the Ministry of Defence was organised in departments and offices according to fields of affairs, no longer according to defence branches.
On 15 February 1946, the Department of Civil Aviation in the Ministry of Defence was transferred to the Ministry of Labour (of 1885).
Politicians
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Aavatsmark, Ivar (V)
- Minister of Defence – Otto Blehr's Second Government 22/06/1921–06/03/1923
- Minister of Defence – Gunnar Knudsen Second Government 17/06/1919–21/06/1920
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Anderssen-Rysst, Torgeir (V)
- Minister of Defence – Johan Mowinckel's Second Government 15/02/1928–12/05/1931
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Bakke-Jensen, Frank (H)
- Minister of Defence – Erna Solberg's Government 20/10/2017–14/10/2021
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Bratlie, Jens Kristian Meinich (H)
- Prime Minister and Minister of Defence - also acting Minister of Auditing – Jens Bratlie's Government 20/02/1912–31/01/1913
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Bull, Karl Sigwald Johannes (H)
- Minister of Defence – Willer Konow's (S.B.) Government 02/02/1910–20/02/1912
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Christensen, Ingolf Elster (H)
- Minister of Defence – Ivar Lykke's Government 26/07/1926–28/01/1928
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Dawes, Karl Friedrich Griffin (V)
- Minister of Defence – Jørgen Løvland's Government 23/10/1907–19/03/1908
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Devold, Kristin Krohn (H)
- Minister of Defence – Kjell Magne Bondevik' Second Government 19/10/2001–17/10/2005
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Ditlev-Simonsen, Per (H)
- Minister of Defence – Jan P. Syse's Government 16/10/1989–03/11/1990
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Eide, Espen Barth (A)
- Minister of Defence – Jens Stoltenberg's Second Government 11/11/2011–21/09/2012
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Enoksen, Odd Roger (Sp)
- Minister of Defence – Jonas Gahr Støre's Government 14/10/2021–12/04/2022
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Faremo, Grete (A)
- Minister of Defence – Jens Stoltenberg's Second Government 20/10/2009–11/11/2011
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Fjærvoll, Dag Jostein (KrF)
- Minister of Defence – Kjell Magne Bondevik's First Government 17/10/1997–15/03/1999
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Fostervoll, Alv Jakob (A)
- Minister of Defence – Trygve Bratteli's Second Government 16/10/1973–15/01/1976
- Minister of Defence – Trygve Bratteli's First Government 17/03/1971–18/10/1972
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Godal, Bjørn Tore (A)
- Minister of Defence – Jens Stoltenberg's First Government 17/03/2000–19/10/2001
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Gram, Bjørn Arild (Sp)
- Minister of Defence – Jonas Gahr Støre's Government 12/04/2022–
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Handal, Nils Kristoffer (A)
- Minister of Defence – Einar Gerhardsen's Third Government 22/01/1955–18/02/1961
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Hansen, Rolf (A)
- Minister of Defence – Odvar Nordli's Government 15/01/1976–08/10/1979
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Harbitz, Johannes Winding (H)
- Minister of Defence – Emil Stang's Second Government 15/07/1894–27/04/1895
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Harlem, Gudmund (A)
- Minister of Defence – Einar Gerhardsen's Fourth Government 25/09/1963–12/10/1965
- Minister of Defence – Einar Gerhardsen's Third Government 18/02/1961–28/08/1963
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Hauge, Jens Christian (A)
- Minister of Defence – Oscar Torp's Government 19/11/1951–05/01/1952
- Minister of Defence – Einar Gerhardsen's Seond Government 05/11/1945–19/11/1951
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Heftye, Thomas Thomassen (V)
- Minister of Defence – Gunnar Knudsen's First Government 19/03/1908–11/04/1908
- Minister of Defence – Otto Blehr's First Government 09/06/1903–22/10/1903
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Hellesen, Gunnar Fredrik (H)
- Minister of Defence – Per Borten's Government 05/06/1970–17/03/1971
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Hoff, Edvard Hans (H)
- Minister of Defence – Emil Stang's First Government 13/07/1889–06/03/1891
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Holst, Johan Jørgen (A)
- Minister of Defence – Gro Harlem Brundtland's Third Government 03/11/1990–02/04/1993
- Minister of Defence – Gro Harlem Brundtland's Second Government 09/05/1986–16/10/1989
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Holst, Peter Theodor (V)
- Minister of Defence – Johannes Steen's Government 17/02/1898–06/11/1900
- Minister of Defence – Johannes Steen's First Government 06/03/1891–02/05/1893
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Holtfodt, Christian Theodor (V)
- Minister of Defence – Gunnar Knudsen Second Government 08/08/1914–20/02/1919
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Hvoslef, Ragnvald (NS)
- Illegal minister of defence NS - did not take office – Illegal Vidkun Quisling government in Oslo 1940 09/04/1940–14/04/1940
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Indrebø, Adolf (A)
- Minister of Defence and acting Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 15/11/1935–20/12/1935
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Isaksen, Torbjørn Røe (H)
- Minister of Education and Research (acting) – Erna Solberg's Government 12/01/2015–31/01/2015
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Jacobsen, Rolf (V)
- Minister of Defence – Johan Mowinckel's First Government 25/07/1924–05/03/1926
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Keilhau, Hans Vilhelm Dopp Mandall (V)
- Minister of Defence – Gunnar Knudsen Second Government 31/01/1913–08/08/1914
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Kleppe, Johan (V)
- Minister of Defence – Lars Korvald's Government 18/10/1972–16/10/1973
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Knudsen, Kai Birger (A)
- Minister of Defence – Oscar Torp's Government 15/06/1954–22/01/1955
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Kobro, Jens Isak de Lange (V)
- Minister of Defence – Johan Mowinckel's Third Government 03/03/1933–20/03/1935
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Kosmo, Jørgen (A)
- Minister of Defence – Thorbjørn Jagland's Government 25/10/1996–17/10/1997
- Minister of Defence – Gro Harlem Brundtland's Third Government 02/04/1993–25/10/1996
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Kyllingmark, Håkon (H)
- Minister of Defence – John Lyng s Government 28/08/1963–25/09/1963
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Langhelle, Nils (A)
- Minister of Defence – Oscar Torp's Government 05/01/1952–15/06/1954
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Ljungberg, Birger
- Minister og Defence - leave of absence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 28/11/1941–28/02/1942
- Minister of Defence - on travel to London and Paris – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 01/05/1940–18/05/1940
- Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 22/12/1939–20/03/1942
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Løwer, Eldbjørg (V)
- Minister of Defence – Kjell Magne Bondevik's First Government 15/03/1999–17/03/2000
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Lowzow, Haakon Ditlev (V)
- Minister of Defence – Gunnar Knudsen's First Government 11/04/1908–20/08/1909
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Michelsen, Christian (SMLNGSP)
- Prime Minister, Minister of Auditing and acting Minister of Defence – Christian Michelsen's Government 25/05/1907–23/10/1907
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Monsen, Fredrik (A)
- Minister of Defence - leave of absence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 15/12/1939–22/12/1939
- Minister of Defence - leave of absence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 15/11/1935–15/08/1936
- Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 20/03/1935–22/12/1939
- Minister of Defence – Christopher Hornsrud's Government 28/01/1928–15/02/1928
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Nielsen, Sven (H)
- Acting Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 01/05/1940–18/05/1940
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Nygaardsvold, Johan (A)
- Prime Minister and acting Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 15/12/1939–22/12/1939
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Olssøn, Christian Wilhelm Engel Bredal (H)
- Minister of Defence – Christian Michelsen's Government 11/03/1905–25/05/1907
- Minister of Defence – Francis Hagerup's First Government 14/10/1895–17/02/1898
- Minister of Defence – Emil Stang's Second Government 27/04/1895–14/10/1895
- Minister of Defence – Emil Stang's Second Government 02/05/1893–15/07/1894
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Peersen, Rudolf Elias (V)
- Minister of Defence – Gunnar Knudsen Second Government 20/02/1919–17/06/1919
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Presthus, Rolf (H)
- Minister of Defence – Kåre Willoch's Government 25/04/1986–09/05/1986
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Quisling, Vidkun Abraham Lauritz
- Minister of Defence – Jens Hundseid's Government 14/03/1932–03/03/1933
- Minister of Defence – Peder Kolstad's Government 12/05/1931–14/03/1932
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Sjaastad, Anders C. (H)
- Minister of Defence – Kåre Willoch's Government 14/10/1981–25/04/1986
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Søreide, Ine M. Eriksen (H)
- Minister of Defence – Erna Solberg's Government 16/10/2013–20/10/2017
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Spørck, August Geelmuyden (V)
- Minister of Defence – Gunnar Knudsen's First Government 20/08/1909–02/02/1910
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Stang, Georg (V)
- Minister of Defence – Otto Blehr's First Government 21/04/1902–09/06/1903
- Minister of Defence – Johannes Steen's Government 06/11/1900–21/04/1902
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Stoltenberg, Thorvald (A)
- Minister of Defence – Gro Harlem Brundtland's First Government 04/02/1981–14/10/1981
- Minister of Defence – Odvar Nordli's Government 08/10/1979–04/02/1981
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Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete (A)
- Minister of Defence – Jens Stoltenberg's Second Government 21/09/2012–16/10/2013
- Minister of Defence – Jens Stoltenberg's Second Government 17/10/2005–20/10/2009
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Strugstad, Oscar Sigvald Julius (SMLNGSP)
- Minister of Defence – Francis Hagerup's Second Government 22/10/1903–11/03/1905
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Sverdrup, Johan (V)
- Prime Minister and Minister of Defence – Johan Sverdrup's Government 01/09/1885–13/07/1889
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Tidemand, Otto Grieg (H)
- Minister of Defence – Per Borten's Government 12/10/1965–05/06/1970
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Torp, Oscar Fredrik (A)
- Minister of Defence – Einar Gerhardsen's First Government 25/06/1945–05/11/1945
- Minister of Defence, acting Prime Minister and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in Oslo – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 14/05/1945–31/05/1945
- Minister of Defence, acting Prime Minister and acting Minister of Foreign Relations – Government Delegation in Oslo 1945 08/05/1945–31/05/1945
- Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 20/03/1942–25/06/1945
- Minister of Finance and acting Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 28/11/1941–28/02/1942
- Acting Minister of Defence – Johan Nygaardsvold's Government 20/12/1935–15/08/1936
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Wefring, Karl Wilhelm (FRIVNSTR)
- Minister of Defence – Ivar Lykke's Government 05/03/1926–26/07/1926
- Minister of Defence – Abraham Berge's Government 30/05/1923–25/07/1924
- Minister of Defence – Otto B. Halvorsen's Second Government 06/03/1923–30/05/1923
- Minister of Defence – Otto B. Halvorsen's First Government 21/06/1920–22/06/1921
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Aanerud, Anne Marie
- State Secretary for Gram, Bjørn Arild 16/01/2023–
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Aasland, Lasse
- State Secretary for Fostervoll, Alv Jakob 01/12/1974–15/01/1976
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Alvheim, Kjell
- State Secretary for Løwer, Eldbjørg 19/03/1999–17/03/2000
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Andersen, Andreas Martinius
- State Secretary for Hauge, Jens Christian 19/11/1951–05/01/1952
- State Secretary for Hauge, Jens Christian 01/08/1951–19/11/1951
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Bentzen, Bent-Joacim
- State Secretary for Gram, Bjørn Arild 12/04/2022–15/01/2023
- State Secretary for Enoksen, Odd Roger 22/10/2021–12/04/2022
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Bø, Øystein
- State Secretary for Bakke-Jensen, Frank 20/10/2017–17/11/2017
- State Secretary for Søreide, Ine M. Eriksen 16/10/2013–20/10/2017
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Boyesen, Jens Mogens
- State Secretary for Knudsen, Kai Birger 15/09/1954–22/01/1955
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Brekke, Sigve
- State Secretary for Kosmo, Jørgen 08/11/1993–23/03/1996
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Bruland, Bjørn Rochmann
- State Secretary for Stoltenberg, Thorvald 04/02/1981–14/10/1981
- State Secretary for Stoltenberg, Thorvald 15/10/1979–04/02/1981
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Brunvand, Olav
- State Secretary for Knudsen, Kai Birger 15/06/1954–15/09/1954
- State Secretary for Langhelle, Nils 18/01/1952–15/06/1954
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Bryn, Dag Ramsøy
- State Secretary for Hauge, Jens Christian 11/07/1947–01/07/1950
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Eide, Espen Barth
- State Secretary for Faremo, Grete 20/10/2009–28/06/2010
- State Secretary for Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete 17/10/2005–20/10/2009
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Eriksen, Elsa Lisbeth
- State Secretary for Holst, Johan Jørgen 13/11/1990–02/04/1993
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Frogner, Sverre
- State Secretary for Fostervoll, Alv Jakob 26/04/1971–18/10/1972
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Hammerstad, Oddmund H.
- State Secretary for Presthus, Rolf 25/04/1986–09/05/1986
- State Secretary for Sjaastad, Anders C. 14/10/1981–25/04/1986
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Heggheim, Ommund
- State Secretary for Fjærvoll, Dag Jostein 29/10/1997–15/03/1999
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Heløe, Gunnar
- State Secretary for Devold, Kristin Krohn 26/10/2001–01/01/2004
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Himle, Erik
- State Secretary for Handal, Nils Kristoffer 01/07/1958–18/02/1961
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Holst, Johan Jørgen
- State Secretary for Hansen, Rolf 28/01/1976–08/10/1979
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Hovengen, Inger Johanne
- State Secretary for Kosmo, Jørgen 03/05/1996–25/10/1996
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Humberset, Bjørn
- State Secretary for Kleppe, Johan 29/11/1972–16/10/1973
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Ingebrigtsen, Roger
- State Secretary for Eide, Espen Barth 11/11/2011–21/09/2012
- State Secretary for Faremo, Grete 28/06/2010–11/11/2011
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Karstad, Arne
- State Secretary for Holst, Johan Jørgen 16/05/1986–26/08/1988
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Kjølseth, Hans Christian Hveem
- Acting State Secretary for Gram, Bjørn Arild 06/09/2024–
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Knudsen, Thor
- State Secretary for Hellesen, Gunnar Fredrik 05/06/1970–17/03/1971
- State Secretary for Tidemand, Otto Grieg 26/01/1970–05/06/1970
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Kolberg, Martin
- State Secretary for Kosmo, Jørgen 01/11/1996–17/10/1997
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Lund, Arne Gunnar
- State Secretary for Tidemand, Otto Grieg 15/10/1965–01/10/1968
- State Secretary for Kyllingmark, Håkon 28/08/1963–25/09/1963
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Nielsen, Sivert Andreas
- State Secretary for Handal, Nils Kristoffer 01/08/1955–31/07/1958
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Odegard, Jan Tore
- State Secretary for Hellesen, Gunnar Fredrik 25/01/1971–17/03/1971
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Pedersen, Bård Glad
- State Secretary for Devold, Kristin Krohn 01/01/2004–17/10/2005
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Seim, Lasse Sigurd
- State Secretary for Holst, Johan Jørgen 05/09/1988–16/10/1989
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Singsaas, Øystein
- State Secretary for Godal, Bjørn Tore 17/03/2000–19/10/2001
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Skogan, John Kristen
- State Secretary for Ditlev-Simonsen, Per 27/10/1989–03/11/1990
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Skogen, Tone
- State Secretary for Bakke-Jensen, Frank 10/11/2017–14/10/2021
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Stoltenberg, Thorvald
- State Secretary for Fostervoll, Alv Jakob 22/10/1973–01/12/1974
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Thorshaug, Eirik Øwre
- State Secretary for Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete 21/09/2012–16/10/2013
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Vikanes, Marie Lamo
- State Secretary for Gram, Bjørn Arild 09/06/2025–
- State Secretary (leave of absence) for Gram, Bjørn Arild 06/09/2024–
- State Secretary for Gram, Bjørn Arild 20/06/2023–06/09/2024
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Alfheim , Frode (A)
- Political Adviser for Kosmo, Jørgen 20/05/1996–25/10/1996
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Aune, Ingrid Johansen (A)
- Political Adviser (acting) for Eide, Espen Barth 15/05/2012–21/09/2012
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Bakervik, Rune (A)
- Political Adviser (acting) for Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete 01/06/2009–30/09/2009
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Berge, Frode (A)
- Political Adviser for Holst, Johan Jørgen 01/07/1992–01/01/1993
- Private Secretary for Holst, Johan Jørgen 03/12/1990–30/06/1992
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Brekke, Sigve (A)
- Political Adviser for Kosmo, Jørgen 11/01/1993–08/11/1993
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Bryn, Dag Ramsøy (A)
- Private Secretary for Hauge, Jens Christian 15/07/1946–11/07/1947
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Eidem, Bengt Trygve (H)
- Political Adviser (leave of absence) for Devold, Kristin Krohn 24/01/2005–17/10/2005
- Political Adviser for Devold, Kristin Krohn 01/01/2004–24/01/2005
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Eriksen, Elsa Lisbeth (A)
- Private Secretary for Holst, Johan Jørgen 07/03/1988–16/10/1989
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Glomstein, Ivar
- Private Secretary for Sjaastad, Anders C. 15/10/1981–31/12/1985
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Grannes, Susanne Bratli (A)
- Political Adviser for Kosmo, Jørgen 04/11/1996–17/10/1997
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Halvorsen, Audun (H)
- Political Adviser for Søreide, Ine M. Eriksen 01/09/2016–22/09/2017
- Political Adviser (leave of absence) for Søreide, Ine M. Eriksen 11/07/2016–31/08/2016
- Political Adviser for Søreide, Ine M. Eriksen 16/10/2013–10/07/2016
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Helseth, Anders Nikolai (A)
- Private Secretary for Fostervoll, Alv Jakob 01/11/1973–13/04/1975
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Hovengen, Inger Johanne (A)
- Political Adviser for Kosmo, Jørgen 20/03/1995–03/05/1996
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Kvisberg, Torunn E. (KrF)
- Political Adviser for Fjærvoll, Dag Jostein 25/01/1999–15/03/1999
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Larsen, Leonard (A)
- Private Secretary for Stoltenberg, Thorvald 04/02/1981–14/10/1981
- Private Secretary for Stoltenberg, Thorvald 29/10/1979–04/02/1981
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Lied, Margrethe (H)
- Private Secretary for Ditlev-Simonsen, Per 30/10/1989–03/11/1990
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Løkse, Egil (V)
- Private Secretary for Kleppe, Johan 29/11/1972–23/09/1973
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Mathisen, Ragnhild (A)
- Political Adviser for Faremo, Grete 20/10/2009–23/10/2009
- Political Adviser (leave of absence) for Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete 01/06/2009–01/10/2009
- Political Adviser for Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete 21/10/2005–20/10/2009
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Mosbakk, Kurt (A)
- Private Secretary for Harlem, Gudmund 26/02/1964–12/10/1965
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Nilsen, Harry (A)
- Private Secretary for Hansen, Rolf 01/03/1976–31/01/1978
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Ottesen, Atle (A)
- Political Adviser for Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete 21/09/2012–31/03/2013
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Øvrebotten, Norulv (A)
- Private Secretary for Holst, Johan Jørgen 26/05/1986–15/03/1988
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Pedersen, Bård Glad (H)
- Political Adviser for Devold, Kristin Krohn 26/10/2001–01/01/2004
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Pettersen, Ivan (H)
- Political Adviser (acting) for Devold, Kristin Krohn 24/01/2005–17/10/2005
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Pettersen, Rolf (H)
- Private Secretary for Presthus, Rolf 25/04/1986–09/05/1986
- Private Secretary for Sjaastad, Anders C. 01/01/1986–25/04/1986
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Raadim, Kathrine (A)
- Political Adviser (leave of absence) for Eide, Espen Barth 27/04/2012–21/09/2012
- Political Adviser for Eide, Espen Barth 11/11/2011–21/09/2012
- Political Adviser for Faremo, Grete 26/10/2009–11/11/2011
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Radmann, Trine (V)
- Political Adviser for Løwer, Eldbjørg 01/04/1999–17/03/2000
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Rørvik, Anne-Oddveig (A)
- Political Adviser (leave of absence) for Kosmo, Jørgen 09/01/1995–30/08/1995
- Political Adviser for Kosmo, Jørgen 29/11/1993–08/01/1995
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Sand, Ingrid Nikoline (Sp)
- Political Adviser for Gram, Bjørn Arild 03/07/2023–
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Stensønes, Malin (KrF)
- Political Adviser for Fjærvoll, Dag Jostein 30/10/1997–04/01/1999
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Tresselt, Line (A)
- Political Adviser for Strøm-Erichsen, Anne-Grete 08/04/2013–16/10/2013
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Utvåg, Johannes (H)
- Political Adviser for Bakke-Jensen, Frank 04/02/2019–14/10/2021
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Vikanes, Marie Lamo (Sp)
- Political Adviser for Gram, Bjørn Arild 12/04/2022–20/06/2023
- Political Adviser for Enoksen, Odd Roger 14/10/2021–12/04/2022
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Westby, Tonje (A)
- Political Adviser for Godal, Bjørn Tore 13/06/2000–19/10/2001
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Ziolkowski, Marte (H)
- Political Adviser for Bakke-Jensen, Frank 20/10/2017–19/02/2019
- Political Adviser for Søreide, Ine M. Eriksen 22/09/2017–17/01/2018
- Political Adviser (acting) for Søreide, Ine M. Eriksen 01/08/2016–31/08/2016