Culture

The Norwegian PM Got Busted Playing Pokémon Go In Parliament

Ah, Norway. Never change.

by Osman Faruqi  6 October 2016

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Remember Pokémon Go? It was really big back in July but the hype died pretty quickly when everyone got sick of getting owned by 5000 CP Dragonites. But it turns out the game is still popular in Norway, especially in the Norwegian parliament.

In a sign of how addictive the game can be, Norway’s PM, Erna Solberg, has been busted trying to catch some Pokémon during a parliamentary debate. Solberg is a huge Pokémon fan. During an official trip to Slovakia last month the PM took a bit of time out to hunt for Pokémon and hatch some eggs, which requires walking around while using the app.

During a speech last Tuesday by the leader of Norway’s Liberal Party, Trine Skei Grande, Solberg whipped out her phone and started looking for Pokémon to catch. What a power move. Luckily the Liberal Party are allies of Solberg’s Conservatives, otherwise the incident might have sparked some political tension.

It also helps that Grande is herself massively into Pokémon Go. She was caught playing the game during a parliamentary hearing on foreign affairs and defence.

Grande laughed off Solberg’s parliamentary Pokémon hunting on Twitter, saying “She heard what I said, we ladies can do two things at the same time you know.”

Ah, Norway. Never change.