Bjørnøy defrocked as Norway's environment minister

A Norwegian government reshuffle on Thursday has resulted in the replacement of environment minister Helen Bjørnøy by Erik Solheim, who adds environment to his existing international development portfolio. Ms Bjørnøy, an ordained Lutheran priest and one-time contender for Bishop of Oslo (EED 18/10/05), had been criticised by parliamentary colleagues, media commentators and NGOs for her inexperience and perceived weakness, most notably in a row over climate policy earlier this year (EED 02/02/07). Mr Solheim, 51, led the Socialist Left Party, of which Ms Bjørnøy is a member, for ten years. See government press releases one and two.

• Climate
• General