ADVERTISEMENT

Populist fails in Nobel bid

According to Alfred Nobel's will, the five members of the committee are elected by the Norwegian Parliament, which takes into account the balance of political power.

The populist right-wing Progress Party, currently a junior partner in Norway's two-party coalition, proposed its outspoken former party leader Carl I. Hagen, now a deputy MP, for one of the seats.

But 73-year-old Hagen only received 16 votes, while 86 were cast in support of Labour party candidate, Berit Reiss-Andersen, in a ballot to partially renew the committee on Friday.

Hagen, a substitute MP, is known for his inflammatory rhetoric. He once said that "a society without ethnic minorities is a harmonious society".

ADVERTISEMENT

His inclusion in the vote came despite an attempt to block his candidacy, after other parties on Tuesday adopted a rule banning members of parliament and their substitutes from joining the committee.

They stressed the need to highlight the Nobel committee's independence from the state in the aftermath of a diplomatic crisis that erupted between China and Norway after Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.

Hagen accused the other parties of being "desperate to obstruct" him and of "changing the rules of the game".

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

FG presents 1,437 metric tonnes food commodities to Niger Govt

FG presents 1,437 metric tonnes food commodities to Niger Govt

Jimoh Ibrahim warns Tinubu about danger of not dropping ministers accused of corruption

Jimoh Ibrahim warns Tinubu about danger of not dropping ministers accused of corruption

EFCC to arraign Sirika and his daughter on Thursday over ₦2.7bn fraud

EFCC to arraign Sirika and his daughter on Thursday over ₦2.7bn fraud

Fubara's loyalist, Jumbo emerges Rivers Assembly Speaker

Fubara's loyalist, Jumbo emerges Rivers Assembly Speaker

Reps want military joint taskforce to flush out criminals in Niger

Reps want military joint taskforce to flush out criminals in Niger

Okomu Oil Palm threatens to shut down operations due to militant invasions

Okomu Oil Palm threatens to shut down operations due to militant invasions

Delta Assembly confirms appointment of Governor Oborevwori’s 5 nominees

Delta Assembly confirms appointment of Governor Oborevwori’s 5 nominees

Reps form committee to probe death of 4-year-old at Brickhall school

Reps form committee to probe death of 4-year-old at Brickhall school

FCT residents choose ponmo, crayfish for protein amid soaring meat, fish prices

FCT residents choose ponmo, crayfish for protein amid soaring meat, fish prices

Pulse Sports

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT