Johan J. Jakobsen

Johan Jakob Jakobsen (15 April 1937 – 30 June 2018) was a Norwegian politician, member of the Norwegian Centre Party. He had a long political career, sitting seven terms as a representative in the Norwegian Parliament, first elected in 1973. This run was not entirely successive, however, as he was a member of two different cabinets in the 1980s. On 8 June 1983 (in the middle of a term), he was assigned to the Kåre Willoch's centre-right coalition government, with Jakobsen leading the Ministry of Transport and Communications. This government lasted until 1986. After the 1989 elections, the coalition was once again able to form a government; this time led by Prime Minister Jan P. Syse. Jakobsen was Minister of Local Government. The rest of his political career, from which he stepped down in 2001, he was a member of parliament. In addition, he was chairman of the Centre Party from 1979 to 1991. Together with Per Borten, he is the longest-serving party leader. He was also a noted opponent of Norway joining the European Union. Jakobsen has written one book, titled Mot Strømmen (Against the Grain in English).