Norway's Crucial Electoral Choice: Labour's Continuity or Right-Wing Shift

Sat Sep 13 2025 09:24:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Norway approaches elections, citizens face a decision to either continue with the Labour-led government or to embrace a more right-leaning coalition. Key issues include living costs, tax debates, and international relations amidst growing geopolitical tensions.

Norwegians will vote imminently in a tightly contested election that could see incumbent Labour Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre retain leadership or a shift towards a right-leaning coalition led by the Progress Party and Høyre. Central themes in this contest include the escalating cost of living, wealth tax policies, and Norway's response to international crises. The outcome could reshape Norway's political landscape, particularly in light of financial policies and foreign relations. The government structure, requiring coalition-building, adds complexity to the election's potential outcomes.

Norwegians go to the polls on Sunday and Monday in a tight race to decide whether to continue with a Labour-led government or turn to the centre-right.

There are only four million voters in this founding member of NATO, which shares an Arctic border with Russia and is part of the EU's single market but not a member state.

Despite its small population, Norway has long punched above its weight on the international stage, and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine - as well as US trade tariffs - have played a significant part in the election campaign.

Nevertheless, in the final stretch of the race, the focus has switched to the increasing cost of living and inequality.

Public spending, school and infrastructure, railway infrastructure and road construction, those kinds of things, says Andreas, a father about what he considers the key issues.

This domestic focus became clear during Norway's summer politics fest in the small town of Arendal, last month. Every year, Norway's political class joins company bosses, unions and the public on the southeast coast for panel talks and meetings, showcasing major political debates.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, seeking a second term after Labour's victory in 2021, faces off against the conservative bloc led by Erna Solberg and the right-wing populist Progress Party under Sylvi Listhaug.

Key issues debated during the campaign include the much-discussed 1% wealth tax, significant to Norway's tax system, especially as an increasing number of wealthy individuals have chosen to relocate to avoid high taxation.

While Listhaug advocates for the abolition of the wealth tax, frustration grows within Labour as they wrestle with the broader implications of tax reform in light of exodus claims.

Foreign policy remains at the forefront of discussions as Norway's sovereign wealth fund has recently chosen to withdraw investments from companies amid geopolitical crises, demonstrating connections between national policy and international situations.

As the competition heats up before the election, it notably highlights the necessity for coalition governance in Norway's proportional representation system, where no party has an outright majority.

The implications of this election will resonate well beyond Norway, shaping its economic policies and international relations in a rapidly changing global political environment.