Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has publicly apologized for a significant lapse in judgment regarding the selection of his son as an intern at the Norwegian embassy in Paris. He revealed in a statement that his son had expressed interest in applying for the student internship position last September, and he believed it was best to remain uninvolved to avoid any conflict of interest. However, Eide subsequently recognized that this decision was mistaken.

Eide acknowledged that his relationship with his son rendered him biased and inherently compromised the integrity of the entire foreign service. By engaging his son in the selection process, the ambassador at the embassy was also influenced by this bias, thus affecting the outcome of the internship selection. Eide's comments highlight a crucial ethical consideration in political appointments and roles, especially when personal connections are involved.

The situation raises important questions regarding accountability and the necessity for transparency in government roles, particularly for high-ranking officials like Eide. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries within public service and ensuring that all selections are made fairly without any personal conflicts influencing the decisions.