MS Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norway's feisty, hugely popular Prime Minister and Scandinavia's only politician of global stature, yesterday said she was stepping down, nearly 15 years after forming her first government.
The announcement, which took the country completely by surprise, fuelled speculation that Ms Brundtland may now mount a campaign to succeed Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali as secretary-general of the United Nations, a posit ion with which her name has frequently been linked.
Ms Brundtland (57), told a stunned parliament that she and her minority Labour Party government would formally resign tomorrow to ensure a smooth handover of power before next September's elections, in which she intends to stand for re-election as an MP.
"It is time to make clear who will be at the helm of a Labour government beyond this election, and possibly into the next century," she said.
Norway's King Harald is expected to ask the Labour Party leader, Mr Thorbjoern Jagland, to form the next government.
Ms Brundtland later told journalists she decided over a year ago to step down ahead of the Labour Party's annual conference in November.
"I have a good conscience," she said. "I feel I have done a reasonably good job for a number of years. At 57, one hopes to have many good years to work I think there are many exciting things I could do."
Her departure left rivals and observers alike mourning the end of an era. "She has no equal in our political system, and internationally she's been the best door-opener we've ever had," said a journalist on the Norwegian daily, Aftenposten.
Although often mentioned as a potential successor to Dr Boutros Ghali, Ms Brundtland has steadfastly refused to be drawn, saying the current secretary-general wants to stay on despite US opposition. But one diplomat said yesterday that if she was interested, her chances were now "a lot better than even".