Masud Gharahkhani

Early life and education

Born in Tehran, Iran Masud Gharahkhani emigrated to Norway along with his family in 1987, and he grew up in Skotselv in Øvre Eiker. His father is politician and trade unionist Bijan Gharakhani. After attending local Rosthaug senior high school, he enrolled at Gjøvik University College studying Radiography, graduating as a Radiologic technologist, and has been employed by Blefjell Hospital in its Kongsberg and Rjukan wards. He has also been employed by as secretary-general for the Buskerud Labour party.

Political career

First elected as a deputy representative to the parliament in the 2009 election. He would become somewhat of a national celebrity when he at the Labour Party national convention in 2011 received a standing ovation for his speech about his journey from Tehran to Drammen, having kickstarted the integration debate along with foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Hoping to be the first mayor in Norway with non-Western immigrant background, Gharahkani was the Labour party candidate for the mayor of Drammen in the 2011 local election. He eventually lost to popular incumbent Tore Opdal Hansen from the Conservative Party. His campaign was marred by speculation in the press about his marriage to a woman in Iran. Gharahkani however blamed his opponents for attempting to smear him.

Prime minister Jens Stoltenberg has called Gharahkhani "an extraordinary political talent" and "a success-story in the Norwegian society"

Elected President Of The Storting (The Norwegian Parliament)

Masud Gharahkhani was elected as the president of the Norwegian Parliament (a.k.a. Storting) on November 25, 2021. Gharahkhani succeeded Eva Kristin Hansen, who resigned over allegations that she had exploited the Parliament’s housing benefit. Gharahkhani is the first president of the Norwegian Parliament with a minority and refugee background.

Investigation Into Welfare Benefits

In light of his predecessor’s resignation, Gharahkhani ordered an investigation into all members of the Parliament’s welfare benefits on December 7, 2021. Later that week, on December 10, he proposed a wage freeze for more than one year for Storting representatives. This proposal was rejected by a majority of the Storting.

On December 15, 2021, Gharahkhani proposed new rules for how members of the Storting should use commuter housing. He stated that if a member of the Storting owns or rents a home within 40 kilometers of Oslo, they are not entitled to commuter housing.

On May 3, 2022, Norwegian media reported that Gharahkhani had given up his commuter home five days after being elected as president of the Storting. This was revealed after the Commission for Commuter Homes proposed that the distance for a commuter home should be expanded to 50 or 60 kilometers instead of 40. The proposal will cause Gharahkhani to lose his right to a commuter home if granted.

Gender Equality Position

On July 3, 2022, Gharahkhani expressed his support for the Arne campaign, saying that name and gender still affect opportunities for women in the workplace. This campaign is based on the NRK series Lykkeland, where the main character Anna Hellevik struggles to find a job but gets called in for an interview after she changes her name to a male one: “Arne”.

Inspired by the show, several female politicians and women in business changed their name to “Arne” on LinkedIn to show their support for gender equality and diversity in the Norwegian workforce.

Meeting With Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

On May 8, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Masud Gharahkhani. During the meeting, Gharahkhani declared that he was “deeply shocked” by the consequences of the Russian occupation. He also affirmed that Norway stands by Ukraine.

Zelenskyy and Gharahkhani discussed the issue of increasing Norway’s security support for Ukraine. The two parties also talked about approaches to strengthen sanctions on Russia.

Calling Parliament On Energy Crisis

On August 17, 2022, Masud Gharahkhani called the Norwegian Parliament to an emergency meeting over Norway’s energy crisis. This comes after both Labor and Conservative Parties, alongside other parties represented in the Storting, expressed that businesses should receive some form of compensation from the state to offset electricity costs.

On September 19, 2022, 92 relief proposals were offered by the government to ease high electricity costs for businesses and households. However, the proposals failed to gain support.

On October 6, 2022, Financial Times reported that Norway and the EU have agreed to develop tools aiming to reduce Europe’s high gas prices and stabilize energy markets.

Remarks On The Stabbing Of Salman Rushdie

On August 20, 2022, Gharahkhani stated that he did not believe that Iranian authorities were not involved in author Salman Rushdie’s assassination. He noted that the assassination attempt was praised by Iranian media, controlled by the regime. He added that the attack was “reprehensible,” and that Muslims must endure Rushdie’s message in the Satanic Verses because it represents freedom of expression.

Comments on Iranian Protests

On September 25, 2022, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Norway’s ambassador over comments made by Masud Gharahkhani regarding anti-government protests in Iran. On Twitter, Gharakhani wrote, “If my parents had not taken the decision to flee in 1987, I would be one of those who are fighting with their lives in the street.”

In an interview with Iran International on November 4, 2022, Gharahkhani addressed the Islamic Republic and its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by saying, “You’ve been in power for 44 years, enough is enough.”

Iran has responded by saying that Gharahkhani’s remarks were “interventionist” and “unacceptable”.

Immigrant relations

In an incident where teachers at an elementary school in Drammen banned its pupils from wearing traditional Christmas-costumes at an annual Christmas-play, Gharahkhani publicly condemned the school for its actions and reiterated the importance of Norwegian culture and tradition in schools. When asked about his personal experiences, he explained: "I always participated in Christmas activities in school and i would recommend it to my children" Commentators praised him for his openness and tolerance. The head-principal of the school later apologized for the affair.

A hard line supporter of immigrant integration, Gharahkhani has stated that immigrant children has to learn to speak Norwegian or risk being taken by child services, calling failing to teach children Norwegian "unacceptable parental neglect" as it was an absolute prerequisite for succeeding in the Norwegian society.

Personal life

Gharahkhani married his wife Saloumeh "Sally" Abbasian in a private ceremony in Turkey in 2010 without family present, they currently live in the Åssiden neighborhood in Drammen.