Jonas Gahr Støre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonas Gahr Støre
Støre in 2026
Prime Minister of Norway
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 October 2021
Monarch	Harald V
Preceded by	Erna Solberg
Leader of the Opposition
In office 14 June 2014 – 14 October 2021
Monarch	Harald V
Preceded by	Jens Stoltenberg
Succeeded by	Erna Solberg
Leader of the Labour Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 June 2014
First Deputy	Helga Pedersen Hadia Tajik Tonje Brenna
Second Deputy	Trond Giske Bjørnar Skjæran Jan Christian Vestre
Preceded by	Jens Stoltenberg
Ministerial positions Minister of Health and Care Services In office 21 September 2012 – 16 October 2013 Preceded by Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen Succeeded by Bent Høie Minister of Foreign Affairs In office 17 October 2005 – 21 September 2012 Preceded by Jan Petersen Succeeded by Espen Barth Eide
Member of the Storting for Oslo
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 October 2009
Deputy	Truls Wickholm Vegard Wennesland Frode Jacobsen Trine Lise Sundnes
Personal details
Born	(1960-08-25) 25 August 1960 (age 65) Oslo, Norway
Political party	Labour (since 1995)
Spouse	Marit Slagsvold ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	3
Alma mater	Royal Naval Academy Sciences Po
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Norway
Branch/service	Navy

Jonas Gahr Støre, born on August 25, 1960, is a Norwegian politician. He has been the Prime Minister of Norway since 2021. He also leads the Labour Party since 2014. Before becoming prime minister, he served as Foreign Minister and Minister of Health. Støre has been a member of the Storting (Norway's parliament) for Oslo since 2009.

About Jonas Gahr Støre

Family and Early Life

Jonas Gahr Støre was born in Oslo, Norway. He grew up in the western part of Oslo. His father worked as a ship broker, and his mother was a librarian. Støre comes from a family with a long history in Norwegian business.

He married Marit Slagsvold in 1988. She is a sociologist and a minister in the Church of Norway. They have three sons together. Støre is a Christian and a member of the state church.

Education and Training

Støre attended schools in Oslo during his childhood. He then trained to become a naval officer. He studied at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy from 1979 to 1980. After that, he served in the Royal Norwegian Navy.

He later studied political science for five years. He attended Sciences Po in Paris, France. He also briefly started a PhD program at the London School of Economics.

Early Career in Public Service

Working for the Government

Støre began his career as a special advisor. He worked in the Prime Minister's Office from 1989 to 1997. He served under several prime ministers, including Gro Harlem Brundtland. Her guidance inspired him to join the Labour Party in 1995.

From 1998, he worked as an executive director. He was part of the World Health Organization. He worked under the leadership of Gro Harlem Brundtland there.

Leadership Roles

Støre also led a research group called ECON Analyse from 2002 to 2003. After that, he became the secretary-general of the Norwegian Red Cross. He held this important role from 2003 to 2005.

Jonas Gahr Støre's Political Journey

Chief of Staff in Government

From 2000 to 2001, Støre was a State Secretary. He was also Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister's Office. He worked with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg during this time. This government focused on modernizing Norway's economy.

Serving as Foreign Minister

Støre and Jens Stoltenberg with US President George W. Bush during the NATO Summit in April 2008

After the 2005 election, Støre was appointed Foreign Minister. He held this important position until 2012. During this time, he became a very popular member of the government. He often spoke about international issues and Norway's role in the world.

Facing Security Challenges

During his time as Foreign Minister, Støre faced serious security challenges. In January 2008, he was in a hotel in Afghanistan that was attacked. He was unharmed, but the incident was very dangerous. In July 2011, he was also a target of attacks in Norway.

Minister of Health and Care Services

In September 2012, Støre took on a new role. He became the Minister of Health and Care Services. He worked on improving health services for people across Norway. He served in this position until October 2013.

Member of Parliament for Oslo

In the 2009 general election, Støre was elected to the Stortinget (Norway's parliament). He represents the city of Oslo. He has been re-elected several times since then. As a Member of Parliament, Støre has nominated important figures for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Leading the Labour Party

On June 14, 2014, Støre was chosen to lead the Labour Party. He took over from Jens Stoltenberg. Støre then became the Leader of the Opposition in parliament. He led the party in the 2017 and 2021 parliamentary elections. In 2021, his party and its allies won enough seats to form a government.

Prime Minister of Norway (2021–Present)

Further information: Støre Cabinet

Støre with U.S. President Joe Biden and Jake Sullivan in January 2022

Støre with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in May 2022

Støre with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May 2022

Støre with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July 2022

Støre with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Nordic leaders in Helsinki, July 2023

Jonas Gahr Støre was appointed Prime Minister on October 14, 2021. This happened after his party won the parliamentary election. He formed a government with the Centre Party. In early 2025, the Centre Party left the government. Støre then led the first Labour minority government in 25 years. He led the Labour Party to re-election in the 2025 parliamentary election. He announced that the Labour Party would continue as a minority government. He also invited other parties to discuss future cooperation.

Domestic Policies and Initiatives

As Prime Minister, Støre focused on many important issues at home. His government worked to improve working conditions. They aimed to secure permanent, full-time jobs with fair pay. They also worked to protect Norway's natural resources. The government promoted green industries and state involvement in new businesses.

Supporting Citizens and Communities

Støre's government worked to reduce electricity prices for families. They also aimed to strengthen local communities. This included improving transport links, like reducing ferry prices. They also worked to separate counties like Troms og Finnmark and Viken if local councils wished.

Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic

Støre's government managed Norway's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They introduced national measures to control the virus. This included offering booster vaccines and adjusting testing rules. In early 2022, most of these measures were lifted as the situation improved.

Promoting Human Rights and Equality

In April 2022, Støre issued an apology to the queer community. This marked 50 years since old laws that unfairly treated people based on who they loved were removed. He stated that the government was sorry for the past injustices. His government also worked on issues like Sami rights. They pledged to follow up on rulings concerning wind farms at Fosen.

Investing in the Future

In September 2023, Støre announced a major investment. His government would invest 1 billion NOK in research. This money would go towards artificial intelligence and digital technology. This investment was praised by researchers and other politicians.

Defense Spending Commitments

In March 2024, Støre announced an important defense goal. Norway would reach its goal of spending at least 2% of its GDP on defense by July of that year. This goal is part of Norway's commitment to NATO members.

Energy Policy and Climate Goals

Støre has spoken about Norway's role in energy. He believes Norway should develop its petroleum industry. At the same time, it should invest in green energy. He said that stopping the petroleum industry would make it harder to reach climate goals.

Addressing Electricity Prices

His government introduced schemes to help people with high electricity bills. In December 2021, they announced a security scheme. The state would compensate half of the price if it exceeded a certain level. This support was increased in January 2022 and extended until 2024.

Future Energy Plans

In August 2023, Støre's government allowed the electrification of the Melkøya power plant. This measure aimed to cut emissions significantly. In January 2025, new electricity actions were announced. These included a fixed price and a VAT cut.

Foreign Policy and International Relations

Støre (left) with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in 2022

Støre with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the 2023 Vilnius summit

Prime Minister Støre has been active in international relations. He has met with many world leaders to discuss global challenges.

Global Cooperation

Støre's government sent observers to a summit about a nuclear ban. This showed Norway's commitment to disarmament. He also attended the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. There, he spoke about Norway's commitment to responsible investments and climate action.

Relations with Asia

In September 2024, Støre visited China. This visit marked 70 years of diplomatic relations. He met with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. They discussed trade, artificial intelligence, and climate change. Støre also emphasized the importance of securing Norwegian interests.

Ties with Baltic Nations

Støre visited Lithuania in February 2023 and July 2024. He discussed defense cooperation with the Lithuanian President. Norway extended the stay of its troops in Lithuania to support regional security.

Nordic Collaboration

Støre worked to strengthen cooperation among Nordic countries. He addressed challenges like border relations during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spoke out against actions like the burning of holy books, calling them hate crimes. He called Turkey's opposition to Swedish and Finnish NATO membership "baseless."

Engagement with Africa

In December 2021, Støre met digitally with the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa. They discussed global health issues. Støre praised South Africa's openness about the omicron variant.

European Diplomacy

Støre with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in April 2025

Støre met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in October 2021. They discussed cooperation in the north. He visited Berlin in January 2022 to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. They discussed energy cooperation and the situation in Ukraine. In May 2022, Norway changed the name it uses for Belarus to show support for democracy. Støre attended the inaugural meeting of the European Political Community in Prague in October 2022. He condemned the Crocus City Hall attack in March 2024.

Relations with the Americas

Støre with US President Donald Trump in April 2025

Støre met with US President Joe Biden and other Nordic leaders in 2022 and 2023. He also met with US President Donald Trump in April 2025. They discussed Norway's role in the Arctic, the war in Ukraine, and trade. In August 2022, Støre condemned the knife attack on British-Indian author Salman Rushdie. He supported freedom of expression.

Middle East Diplomacy

Støre at the Gaza peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 13 October 2025

Støre's government has been involved in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. He criticized Qatar's detention of journalists in 2021. He emphasized the importance of a free press. He condemned the Iranian regime's treatment of women in 2022. He also spoke about the Gaza war, calling for an end to the conflict. He supported humanitarian aid and encouraged de-escalation. In May 2024, Norway recognized Palestine as an independent country. Støre attended the Gaza peace summit in October 2025. He expressed support for peace plans.

Other Activities and Interests

Jonas Gahr Støre is a member of the board of trustees for the International Crisis Group. This organization works to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts. He is also a fan of the English football club Leeds United.

See also

In Spanish: Jonas Gahr Støre para niños

• Jens Stoltenberg
• List of current heads of state and government
• List of heads of the executive by approval rating