The BRICS TimesNorway’s five-party left-wing bloc secured a narrow majority of 87 seats out of 169 in parliament, leaving the right-wing bloc with 82, according to results counted almost in full.
Norway’s ruling alliance achieved victory in the legislative elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, marking another chapter in his political career. The outcome confirmed the continuation of a Labour-led minority government, supported informally by four other left-wing allies.
Although the campaign was heavily shaped by domestic issues such as taxes, healthcare, inequality, and public services, international developments also influenced voter sentiment. Global events like the war in Ukraine and the policies of former US President Donald Trump resonated strongly with the electorate of this resource-rich nation of 5.6 million citizens.
The left-wing coalition won 87 out of 169 parliamentary seats, while the right-wing bloc managed 82. Store’s Labour Party secured around 28 percent of the vote, emerging as the largest single force. At an enthusiastic gathering on election night, the 65-year-old leader declared, “We knew it would be close, and it was. We knew we’d have to give it our all, and we gave it our all… We did it.”
A striking feature of this election was the unprecedented surge for the anti-immigration Progress Party. This party doubled its 2021 tally and captured about 24 percent of the vote, boosted particularly by younger male voters. It overtook the Conservative Party led by former prime minister Erna Solberg, which fell to its weakest performance in two decades at just 14.6 percent. “Tonight, we are going to celebrate the best score in our history, and my goal is for this to be just the beginning,” Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug said. Despite congratulating Store on his win, she warned the coming four years would be “difficult for the people and the business world.”
Economic issues dominated debates, especially over Norway’s controversial wealth tax. Many wealthy citizens have moved to Switzerland in recent years to avoid the levy, sparking clashes between political camps over whether it should remain. Store reflected after voting with his wife in Oslo, saying, “What really has been a concern for people is their daily situation in their personal economy, how to cope with increasing prices.” Meanwhile, Listhaug criticized high taxation during her TV2 interview, asserting the need to “take back control and stop the waste.”
The election also revived Store’s political standing. A few months earlier, speculation about his succession was widespread, but his deep experience as both foreign minister and prime minister played in his favor. Analysts noted that voters leaned toward stability during volatile global times, especially concerning Trump-era tariffs and the war in Ukraine.
Norway, a NATO member sharing a border with Russia in the Arctic, depends heavily on exports for its economy. Store’s Labour Party also gained momentum from the appointment of ex-NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg as finance minister earlier this year, reinforcing public confidence.
Still, governance will not be easy. The Labour Party must cooperate with the Centre Party, the Greens, the Socialist Left, and the Red Party to advance legislation. Divergences remain stark, particularly on oil drilling, environmental goals, and ties with the EU. While Labour supports continued oil extraction, some allies push for phasing it out. Socialist Left leader Kirsti Bergsto stated firmly that “we will not open the deep seas up to mining” and stressed the need for “new reductions in emissions.” Furthermore, disagreements persist on whether the sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest, should divest from Israel, something Labour firmly rejects.
Despite these challenges, Jonas Gahr Store’s election win secures his leadership for another term and positions him at the center of Norway’s balancing act between economic prosperity, environmental responsibility, and shifting global geopolitics.
