Ine Eriksen Søreide, the new leader of the Conservative Party in Norway, has responded to questions regarding her relationship with former ambassador Mona Juul, denying any claims that she has distanced herself more than necessary. Søreide referred back to a declaration of inhabilitas she made in 2018, which was intended to ensure she remained within acceptable boundaries in her political role.

This situation comes to light amid challenging beginnings for Søreide, who is facing a control hearing in the Storting regarding the handling of a whistleblower report that was submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs while she was serving as the foreign minister in 2019. Her position as the new party leader generates additional scrutiny, particularly regarding past connections in her political career.

Despite inquiries, Søreide clarified that she has not received any gifts from Juul except for the loan of an apartment, a detail that has been publicly known. In response to whether she would actively distance herself from Juul going forward, she stated that their contact had been minimal in recent years and she does not foresee any changes in their relationship. This highlights the political ambitions of Søreide as she navigates complex past affiliations while assuming her new leadership role.