Tax evasion leads to resignation Christian Democratic leader in Norway

Earlier in the week, on Monday, the KrF did very poorly in the parliamentary elections. The party finished just below the 4 per cent threshold and lost most of the seats in the Storting. KrF managed to keep only three seats, of which the one of Ropstad.

The party leader, who is also serving as minister for Children and Families, was confronted with several press articles about the arrangements for private housing in the country and fees for official residence in the capital.

On Friday, the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten revealed that Ropstad never paid a penny to his parents, with whom the party leader was still staying. But he did receive a bill for the space he rented. The conclusion was that the Christian Democratic leader had misled the authorities to pay the least and profit the most.

Confidence at stake

After the press publication, Ropstad apologised but said that he would stay as a minister and party leader. But within the KrF, the criticism grew. Several regional leaders within the party said that the confidence in the leader was at stake. On Saturday, Mr Ropstad gave a press conference. He announced to resign both as a minister and as party leader. He will stay as a member of parliament, according to the Norwegian newspaper Vart Land.