Norway's Tight Election: Labour or Conservative?

Wed Oct 22 2025 00:00:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Norway heads to the polls, the nation faces a critical decision on either continuing with the Labour-led government or shifting towards the conservative parties. Key issues such as the cost of living, wealth tax, and foreign policy dominate the discussions.

In a closely contested election, Norwegians will vote on whether to retain the Labour government led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre or opt for a coalition of conservative parties led by former Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Key issues influencing this election include rising cost of living, taxation policies, and Norway's position on international conflict. With no party likely to secure an outright majority, the formation of a government may depend on coalition negotiations post-election.

Norwegians go to the polls this Sunday and Monday, amid a closely fought contest between the Labour-led government and a coalition of conservative parties. The stakes are high in what could be a pivotal moment for the country's political landscape.

With a population of just four million, Norway is a founding member of NATO and maintains an Arctic border with Russia while being part of the EU's single market without full membership. The global events in Gaza and Ukraine, alongside U.S. trade tariffs, have shaped the election discourse, although the conversation has shifted predominantly towards the rising cost of living and socioeconomic inequality.

Voters are particularly concerned about public expenditure, infrastructure, and key social services. Middle-class families express their frustrations over inflation, seeking clarity from politicians on how they plan to combat the economic pressure, particularly around taxation.

As the election campaign progressed, debates highlighted the contrasting visions proposed by Labour's incumbent Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who is seeking a second term after unseating the conservatives in 2021, and former Prime Minister Erna Solberg of the Conservative Party, who aims to reclaim power.

Støre faces challenges from a resurgent right-wing populist party under Sylvi Listhaug, and the campaign has been punctuated with discussions over a controversial 1% wealth tax affecting those with net assets exceeding 1.76 million Norwegian kroner. This tax has reportedly spurred a notable outmigration of wealthy Norwegians to tax-friendlier locales like Switzerland.

Results from opinion polls leading up to the vote show Labour in the lead, aided by high-profile political personas like Jens Stoltenberg. However, should the right-wing coalition prevail, significant questions remain over leadership roles between Solberg and Listhaug.

Foreign policy discussions have also weighed heavily in the campaign, particularly regarding Norway's ethical investment guidelines in support of human rights. Despite being an EU partner via the European Economic Area, the issue of full EU membership remains a polarizing topic not extensively debated this election cycle.

The outcome of this election could not only alter Norway's domestic agenda but also reshape its international relations at a time of geopolitical tensions. Voters head to the polls as they consider their options, pondering whether to advance with Labour's policies or to embrace the alternatives presented by the centre-right coalition.