CIVICUS discusses the results of Norway’s recent election with Johannes Bergh, Research Director for Politics, Democracy and Civil Society at the Institute for Social Research, an independent research institute based in Oslo.

On 8 September, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s Labour Party claimed victory in the parliamentary election. With 28 per cent of the vote, it won 53 seats in the 169-member parliament, and the red-green bloc’s 88 seats gave Støre a majority to continue as prime minister. The main challenge came from the right-wing populist Progress Party, which surged to 47 seats on an anti-immigration platform. The election was shaped by debates over the cost of living, wealth tax reform and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund investments in Israel.

What were the key dynamics of this election?

Norway holds parliamentary elections every four years. Over the previous term, the centre-left Labour Party, Norway’s largest, led the government but was tarnished by scandals that forced several ministers to resign. Its unpopular coalition with the Centre Party and other centrist forces left many expecting a shift towards the centre-right Progress Party.

However, Labour’s fortunes began to turn when the coalition collapsed earlier this year. Governing alone as a minority administration, it benefited from the return of Jens Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General and arguably Norway’s most popular politician. His presence helped restore credibility and stabilise Støre’s image. Global uncertainty and Donald Trump’s election also played a role, as Labour has refused to express support for the US president.

The results reflected a deeply divided electorate: centre-left parties secured 49 per cent while centre-right forces took 46 per cent. The outcome was uncertain until the end, making this one of Norway’s more interesting elections in recent memory. Støre remains in office, but he must now navigate a five-party parliamentary coalition whose members share his majority while pursuing different agendas.

What were the key issues that shaped the campaign?

The Progress Party, a right-wing populist party that has been part of Norwegian politics for over 50 years, capitalised on growing concerns about living costs and taxation, particularly among young voters and especially young men. The party campaigns against climate protection policies whilst advocating stricter immigration controls, blaming foreigners for Norway’s rising crime rates. This rightward shift among younger voters proved significant.

The war in Gaza also featured prominently, reflecting strong public support for Palestinians. Controversy erupted when it emerged that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund held stakes in Israeli companies directly supporting the military effort. The government withdrew these investments, though civil society organisations and trade unions push for a complete boycott of Israel. While not a dominant campaign issue, the Palestinian cause mobilised many young voters and influenced the outcome.

What are Støre’s priorities and challenges for his second term?

Støre aims to deepen collaboration with the European Union despite Norway remaining outside it. He also seeks to freeze standard income taxes while refusing to set an end date for the oil industry, a stance some coalition partners share.

It will be difficult to build consensus. His government seeks cross-party agreement on tax policy, but left-wing coalition members want higher taxes while right-wing parties demand cuts. Climate policy presents another divide: the Greens and Socialist Left Party want oil exploration to be curtailed, which the government opposes. Støre may instead reach agreement with right-wing parties on this issue. Success will depend on negotiating with coalition partners to secure parliamentary approval for each proposal, a process requiring constant compromise across competing agendas.