Ole Norrback

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johan Ole Norrback (born 18 March 1941 in Övermark) is a Finland-Swedish politician and a diplomat.

Norrback graduated as a folkskola teacher in 1965 and was the ombudsman for the Swedish People's Party in Ostrobothnia between 1967 and 1971, and a member of the Swedish Ostrobothnia's Region Board between 1971 and 1989. He was a member of the Finnish government 1979-1987 and 1991-1999, and the chairman of the Swedish governmental group between 1983 and 1987 and Party leader of the SPP between 1990 and 1998.

Norrback jpined the government as the Minister of Defence in 1987, he was a Minister of Education 1990 to 1991, Minister of Transportation 1991 to 1995, Europe and Foreign Trade Minister 1995 to 1999, and Minister of Nordic Cooperation 1991 to 1999. Thereafter he left the politics and became a diplomat. He was embassador to Oslo 1999 to 2003, and was appointed embassador to Athens in 2003. Norrback was a minister for 4,370 days. Only Jan-Erik Enestam has served longer of the Finland-Swedish politicians.

He was given the title "Minister" in 2006 by President Tarja Halonen.

Preceded by Christoffer Taxell

Chairman of the Swedish People's Party 1990–1998

Succeeded by Jan-Erik Enestam

Preceded by Veikko Pihlajamäki

Minister of Defence 1987–1990

Succeeded by Elisabeth Rehn