Okay, here's a breakdown of Thorbjørn Jagland, a prominent figure in Norwegian and international politics. I'll cover his background, career, key roles, and some controversies.

Who is Thorbjørn Jagland?

Thorbjørn Jagland (born November 22, 1950) is a Norwegian politician who has held numerous high-profile positions in his country and internationally. He's a member of the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet). He's known for being a long-serving politician with a broad range of experience, particularly in foreign affairs, security, and human rights.

Key Career Highlights & Positions:

Early Career & Political Beginnings: Jagland became involved in politics early. He was a leader in the Workers' Youth League (AUF) and held positions within the Labour Party.

Member of Parliament (Stortinget): He served as a Member of Parliament for Buskerud county from 1993 to 2009. He was a significant voice in Norwegian politics throughout this period.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee: A key role in shaping Norwegian foreign policy.

Leader of the Labour Party (2003-2014): He led the Labour Party through a period of significant political success, including two terms as Prime Minister.

Prime Minister of Norway (2005-2013): He served as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms, leading coalition governments. His time as PM was marked by economic growth (partly due to high oil prices) and a focus on welfare state policies. He oversaw Norway's response to the 2008 financial crisis.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe (2009-2019): This is a hugely important international role. He was responsible for promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across Europe. He oversaw significant reforms within the Council of Europe. He was a strong advocate for the European Convention on Human Rights.

Chairman of the Nobel Committee (2009-2019): He chaired the committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize for a decade. This made him a very visible international figure, and the committee's decisions during his tenure often sparked debate.

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2008-2009): Before becoming Secretary General, he held this role, further cementing his position in European politics.

Key Policies & Political Stance:

Social Democracy: Jagland is a strong proponent of social democracy, emphasizing the importance of a strong welfare state, social justice, and equality.

International Cooperation: He's a firm believer in international cooperation and multilateralism, as evidenced by his work with the Council of Europe.

Human Rights: A consistent advocate for human rights, both domestically and internationally.

European Integration (with caveats): While not advocating for Norway to join the European Union (the Labour Party's official position has historically been cautious on EU membership), he has supported closer cooperation with the EU on specific issues.

Oil and Gas: During his time as prime minister, Norway continued to be a major oil and gas producer. While his government did invest in renewable energy, the focus remained heavily on the petroleum industry.

Controversies & Criticisms:

Nobel Peace Prize Awards: His tenure as Chairman of the Nobel Committee attracted criticism, particularly regarding the 2010 award to Liu Xiaobo (a Chinese dissident), which angered the Chinese government. There was also debate around other awards, with some critics questioning the committee's criteria.

Handling of the Utøya Massacre aftermath: The handling of the aftermath of the 2011 Utøya massacre (where a far-right extremist killed 69 people at a Labour Party youth camp) was subject to scrutiny. Some criticized his public statements and perceived lack of focus on security issues prior to the attack. This remains a sensitive topic in Norway.

Allegations of lavish spending as Secretary General: There were reports and criticisms regarding expenses incurred during his time as Secretary General of the Council of Europe. These allegations involved travel and hospitality costs, although investigations didn't find evidence of illegality, some felt the spending was excessive.

Relationship with Azerbaijan: Concerns were raised about Jagland's perceived lenient approach to Azerbaijan's human rights record while he was Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Critics accused him of prioritizing maintaining a relationship with the Azerbaijani government over pressing for greater respect for human rights.

Current Status:

As of late 2023, Jagland is no longer in a formal political role. He remains a commentator on political affairs, and occasionally writes and speaks on topics related to European politics and human rights.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5834635&forum_id=2\u0026mark_id=5310764#49669295)