The Norwegian opposition hopes to win the elections fought by oil, inequality

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The three candidates for the Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, of the Conservatives, Jonas Gahr Stoere, of the Labor Party and Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, of the Center Party, attend a debate in central Oslo, Norway, on 9 August of 2021. Image of August 9, 2021. REUTERS / Gwladys Fouche

  • Last voting day, polls close at 1900 GMT
  • Conservatives saw them lose power after eight years
  • Labor and allies were expected to win
  • Debate on oil vs. climate, tax inequality
  • Tough coalition talks await you

OSLO, Sept 13 (Reuters) – Norway on Monday voted on the last day of parliamentary elections dominated by climate change and economic inequality, with the center-left opposition widely expected to replace a Conservative-led government that has ruled for eight years.

Norway’s status as a major oil and gas producer has been at the heart of the campaign, although a transition away from oil (and the jobs it creates) is likely to be gradual for anyone who wins. Read more

Opinion polls show Labor is in the process of replacing Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s coalition, but would need the support of at least two more parties to get the majority of seats, setting the stage for post-election negotiations. Read more

“Our policies work, employment increases … so we should continue them,” Solberg told reporters after voting in his hometown, Bergen.

Reuters Graphics

The person projected to become the next prime minister, Labor leader Jonas Gahr Stoere, expects Labor, the center-left party and the Socialist Left to win the majority and form a government. Read more

Like Solberg, he wants to give oil companies time to gradually adapt their engineering skills to pursue green technologies like offshore wind turbines.

“I think asking for time in our oil and gas industry is a wrong industrial policy and climate policy,” Stoere told reporters Sunday after voting on election day first.

But polls show it could depend on the Red Party, which wants social reforms based on Marxist ideology, or the Green Party, which wants to stop all of Norway’s oil production by 2035.

Governing in the minority could also be an option for Labor. Stoere says his government will focus on reducing the country’s CO2 emissions in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement, but has rejected any ultimatum on energy policy.

If he wins, Stoere is committed to tackling inequality by reducing taxes for low- and middle-income families and excursion rates for the rich.

Report by Terje Solsvik, edited by Timothy Heritage

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