Støre remains in power in Norway, while the Progress Party was strengthened by a record gain

The Norwegian parliamentary elections resulted in a second term for the minority government of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of the Labour Party, which won 87 seats together with four smaller left-wing partners – two more than needed for a majority.

Støre will therefore continue to rely on the support of smaller parties, which suggests difficult negotiations on key issues such as higher taxes for the wealthy and the future of the oil industry.

The elections also showed a clear shift to the right. The anti-immigration Progress Party achieved its best result ever with 48 seats, more than twice as many as in the last elections four years ago.
The election was significantly influenced by fears of war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. The left was strengthened by the entry of former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg into the government, which voters saw as a guarantee of security against Russia.

The incumbent prime minister welcomed the result and downplayed any shift to the right: “This is also a signal outside Norway that social democracy can prevail despite the right-wing wave.”

(reuters, max)