The ruling coalition in Norway disbanded after the populist Progress Party left the government. Siv Jensen, Norway’s finance minister and the Progress Party’s leader, announced this in a press briefing.
The immediate reason cited for this was the repatriation of an “ISIS bride” and her two children from Syria. According to a government statement, she stated, “We would welcome the children, but we do not compromise with people who have voluntarily joined terrorist organisations and who are working to tear down all the values Norway is built on.”
The 29-year-old woman was born in Oslo to a Norwegian-Pakistani family. She has been residing in ISIS territory in Syria since 2013 and is said to be a member of both the Al-Nusra Front and the IS. Officials say that she married two Islamic State fighters and has two children. She was arrested on her return to Norway and continues to maintain her innocence.
According to a government statement, the children, five and three years of age, are receiving health care. They are also continuously under the supervision of child welfare services.
The rest of the coalition members continue to support this decision. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ine Eriksen Soreide, expressed her relief on the conclusion of this “difficult” case. In a statement, she said, “The decision to provide assistance to enable the family’s return to Norway was taken on humanitarian ground because of fears that one of the children is seriously ill.”
Jensen has, however, reiterated her continued support for Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who leads the Conservative Party. She was first elected in 2013 and reelected in 2017. With the backing of the Progress Party, Solberg will continue to serve as Prime Minister. However, Norway will see a minority government consisting of the Conservatives in coalition with the centre-right Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats.
The issue of “ISIS Brides”–women who traveled to the Middle East to join the Islamic caliphate–is becoming increasingly contentious in various nations. While European countries have been sceptical in their repatriation, countries like Russia, Indonesia, Lebanon and Sudan have welcomed them back in the past. US President, Donald Trump, has insisted that the US' European allies rehabilitate its citizens.
The Norwegian government's decision was an attempt to balance its fight against terrorism with its dedication to humanitarian goals. Although faced with much criticism, the government maintains its commitment to both goals.
Image Source: The Local