Mr Grimstad’s appointment was adopted unanimously by the Storting as a whole on the recommendation of the Presidium. The position is a fixed-term appointment of six years, with the option of an extension.

Deputy Secretary General since 2018

Kyrre Grimstad has a degree in law. One of his previous positions was in the Ministry of Justice’s Legislation Department. He started his career in the Storting in 2010 as a special adviser in the Constitutional Department. He left in 2013 to serve as a judge in the Borgating Court of Appeal before returning as Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Constitutional Department in 2018.

When Marianne Andreassen resigned on 28^th June 2022, Mr Grimstad was appointed as acting Secretary General for the Storting’s administration. He also held this post for a short time after Ida Børresen’s departure in 2018.

We recently asked Mr Grimstad a few questions about his appointment.

Congratulations on the new job! How does it feel?

“I’m very proud and pleased that the Storting has shown such faith in me. It’s a big responsibility, but it’s one that I’m ready for. There are so many good and able people in the administration. Knowing that I had them on board gave me the confidence to take on the job.”

You’ve been acting Secretary General twice before, but haven’t previously applied for the job as Secretary General. Why did you apply this time?

“It’s because I’ve now got five years of experience as Deputy Secretary General, and I know the Storting and its administration very well. I’ve also been the acting Secretary General for the past six months, and I believe that I have the requisite experience and skills for the job. My primary expertise is in constitutional and parliamentary matters, the two most important aspects of the Storting’s work.”

What do you consider to be your most important tasks as Secretary General?

“Several things. Throughout the autumn I made it clear that it was a priority for the administration to complete the development projects which we’d started. We will also have to deal with the findings of the reports on the Storting’s arrangements for MPs – both from the Office of the Auditor General and an independent review board – which are due to be submitted relatively soon. This will require changes in the way we work. At the same time, the day-to-day running of the Storting and the support we give to the MPs in their work must be maintained. That will always be our number one priority.”

What for you is the most exciting part of the job – and the most demanding?

“The most exciting thing is to be allowed to head such a fantastic organization and to work at the interface between the professional and the political – by supporting the work of the MPs. The most demanding aspect of the job is being in charge of such a large organization with such a varied remit. The Storting is a key Norwegian institution, which attracts a great deal of public interest. We are well aware of this, but at times it can still be quite challenging.”

Knows the Storting well

As well as being head of the administration, the Secretary General is also secretary to the Storting’s Presidium. This role entails assisting the Presidium in preparing, carrying out and following up the work of Parliament. President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani said this about the appointment:

“Kyrre Grimstad has broad experience and knows the Storting well. At present, and following the cases relating to the MPs’ financial arrangements, one of the Storting’s most important jobs is to continue its efforts to build and preserve confidence in the population. Mr Grimstad has already demonstrated his ability to get things done and to act with integrity and trust. This has been vital for the Presidium.”

Kyrre Grimstad in the Diplomatic Box during the consideration of his appointment as the new Secretary General. Photo: Storting.