Anita Apelthun Sæle (born 13 December 1951) is a Norwegian politician who was a member of the Norwegian parliament from 1993 until 2005, representing the Christian Democratic Party (KrF) and the county of Hordaland.[1]

Biography

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Sæle was among the most conservative members of KrF, and a firm opponent of abortion and gay rights.[2] In foreign policy. Sæle was opposed to Norwegian membership in the European Union, and was a supporter of Israel.[3] She is married to Finn Jarle Sæle who runs the Christian conservative newspaper Norge Idag, and they have the son Finn Ørjan Sæle.[4]

In the KrF nomination for parliament ahead of the 2005 parliamentary election, Sæle lost both the top and second spot on the KrF ballot, to Ingebrigt Sørfonn and Laila Dåvøy respectively, in spite of warnings from some members that losing her from the ballot might cost the party conservative voters.[3] After losing the nomination, she was offered a top spot on the Coastal Party's ballot, but declined the offer.[5]

In April 2006, Sæle became the leader of the women's division of the Christian Democratic Party.[6] She then stated her belief that free abortion will eventually become illegal in Norway due to failing birth rates, praising a proposed abortion ban in South Dakota.[7]

After withdrawing from national politics, she has worked for her husband's newspaper Norge Idag.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Anita Apelthun Sæle". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). 15 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. ^ Mot homser, abort og alkohol (Against gays, abortion and alcohol) Dagbladet Magasinet, November 15, 2004 (in Norwegian)
  3. ^ a b KrF vraket Sæle Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (KrF declined Sæle) Dagsavisen, November 14, 2004 (in Norwegian)
  4. ^ Familien Sæle - et lite stykke Norge Archived March 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (The family Sæle, a small piece of Norway) Aftenposten, November 28, 2004 (in Norwegian)
  5. ^ Anita takker nei til Kystpartiet Archived December 2, 2005, at the Wayback Machine (Anita declines Kystpartiet's offer) NRK Hordaland, November 30, 2004 (in Norwegian)
  6. ^ Anita Apelthun Sæle ny leder for KrF-kvinnene Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine (Anita Apelthun Sæle new leader of the KrF women, Stavanger Aftenblad, April 22, 2006) (in Norwegian)
  7. ^ Almendingen, Berit (24 April 2006). "Spår ny abortlov". Nettavisen (in Norwegian).
  8. ^ "Anita Apelthun Sæle 70 år: Gjest i Live fra Bergen og Studio Direkte". Visjon Norge (in Norwegian). 11 December 2021.