section_path: First career in Norwegian politics (1990 – 2013)/Minister of Finance (1996–1997)
section_name: Minister of Finance (1996–1997)
paragraph_text: Minister of Finance (1996–1997)
  
  In 1996, Thorbjørn Jagland became prime minister, and Stoltenberg became Minister of Finance. On 29 September 1997, Jagland resigned because of an ultimatum he had issued stating that the cabinet would resign if the party received less than 36.9% of the popular vote. Labour only received 35.0%; true to his promise, Jagland resigned as a consequence of its 36.9 ultimatum, and power was transferred to the first cabinet of Kjell Magne Bondevik. After Jagland's resignation and while in parliamentary opposition, Stoltenberg served on the standing committee on Oil and Energy Affairs in the Storting. He became the parliamentary leader and prime minister candidate for the Labour Party in February 2000.