NOBEL COMMITTEE FACES SCRUTINY AHEAD OF 2026 PRIZE

The Nobel Peace Prize committee is facing increased attention ahead of the announcement of the 2026 laureate, following renewed scrutiny surrounding political lobbying for the award.

The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee is expected to announce this year’s recipient on October 9, with experts saying the committee is likely to be particularly cautious following developments surrounding last year’s prize.

US President Donald Trump had publicly campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize last year, putting the committee under significant public attention.

The situation became more complicated after Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who received the prize, later gave Trump her Nobel medal, saying he deserved the recognition.

Kristian Berg Harpviken, secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, acknowledged that lobbying and attempts to influence the committee were not new.

However, experts cited by AFP said the events surrounding the previous award could affect expectations for this year’s selection.

Haakon Gjerlow, acting director of the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, said the committee might seek a recipient capable of attracting broader consensus after last year’s controversy.

Several individuals and organisations have been mentioned by experts as possible candidates, including child-rights campaigners, journalists and groups involved in justice and humanitarian work.

The committee has not disclosed the identity of the 2026 laureate ahead of the official announcement.