Anita Apelthun Sæle (born 13 December 1951) is a Norwegian politician who was a member of the Norwegian parliament from 1993 until 2005, representing the Christian Democratic Party (KrF) and the county of Hordaland.
Biography Sæle was among the most conservative members of KrF, and a firm opponent of abortion and gay rights.Mot homser, abort og alkohol (Against gays, abortion and alcohol) Dagbladet Magasinet, November 15, 2004 In foreign policy. Sæle was opposed to Norwegian membership in the European Union, and was a supporter of Israel.KrF vraket Sæle (KrF declined Sæle) Dagsavisen, November 14, 2004 She is married to Finn Jarle Sæle who runs the Christian conservative newspaper Norge Idag, and they have four children, including the son Finn Ørjan Sæle.Familien Sæle - et lite stykke Norge (The family Sæle, a small piece of Norway) Aftenposten, November 28, 2004
In the KrF nomination for parliament ahead of the 2005 parliamentary election, Sæle lost both the top and second spot on the KrF ballot, to Ingebrigt Sørfonn and Laila Dåvøy respectively, in spite of warnings from some members that losing her from the ballot might cost the party conservative voters. After losing the nomination, she was offered a top spot on the Coastal Party's ballot, but declined the offer.Anita takker nei til Kystpartiet (Anita declines Kystpartiet's offer) NRK Hordaland, November 30, 2004
In April 2006, Sæle became the leader of the women's division of the Christian Democratic Party.Anita Apelthun Sæle ny leder for KrF-kvinnene (Anita Apelthun Sæle new leader of the KrF women, Stavanger Aftenblad, April 22, 2006) She then stated her belief that free abortion will eventually become illegal in Norway due to failing birth rates, praising a proposed abortion ban in South Dakota.
After withdrawing from national politics, she has worked for her husband's newspaper Norge Idag.
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