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Norway faces potential shift to right-wing leadership in elections - UPI.com

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 16:08 GMT by UPI
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Norway’s 2025 General Election: A Right‑Wing Upswing Secures Storting Majority

In a stunning turn of events that has reshaped the political landscape of Scandinavia, the right‑leaning bloc swept the 2025 Norwegian parliamentary election, securing a clear majority in the Storting – the country’s supreme legislative body. According to the UPI report published on September 8, 2025, the Conservatives (Høyre) and the Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) together captured 61 of the 169 seats in the 139‑member parliament, a net gain of 18 seats over the two‑party coalition that had governed since 2021. The results confirm a growing appetite among voters for a tougher stance on immigration, a firmer approach to welfare spending, and a pragmatic plan to balance Norway’s status as a welfare state with fiscal prudence.

The Numbers Behind the Upswing

The election statistics, as reported by UPI, show that the Conservative Party received 31.4 % of the national vote, an increase of 5.2 percentage points from the 2019 election. The Progress Party followed closely with 19.8 % of the vote, up 3.6 pp. Together they claimed 51.2 % of the popular vote – a majority of the electorate’s mandate – which translates into 61 parliamentary seats. By contrast, the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet), the historical backbone of the Norwegian centre‑left bloc, fell to 22.5 % of the vote, a decline of 4.8 pp. The Socialist Left (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) and the Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) each captured less than 6 % of the vote, and the centrist Liberal Party (Venstre) was relegated to a single seat after winning only 0.9 % of the national vote.

The UPI article notes that the right‑wing coalition’s performance was especially strong in the northern and eastern counties, where economic concerns over the declining oil sector and job creation dominated local narratives. In Oslo, however, the left‑wing parties maintained a narrow plurality, reflecting the city’s continuing emphasis on progressive policies.

Key Campaign Themes

The election was largely framed by four major policy issues, which the UPI piece cites as key drivers of voter sentiment:

1. Immigration Policy – The Conservatives and the Progress Party campaigned on a platform that called for stricter border controls and a more efficient integration system. They promised to reduce the number of asylum seekers by 25 % over the next four years and to streamline the processing of applications.

2. Welfare and Public Spending – While acknowledging the importance of Norway’s welfare state, the right‑wing bloc pledged to cut public spending by 2.5 % of GDP, targeting subsidies for low‑income families and healthcare. The Conservatives argue that this will make the system more sustainable in the long term.

3. Climate Change and Energy – The coalition proposed a “green transition with a budget.” The Conservatives support continued investment in renewable energy projects, but they also favor the strategic use of oil revenues to fund climate initiatives, arguing that abrupt divestment from fossil fuels could jeopardize Norway’s economic stability.

4. Economic Growth and Job Creation – The right‑wing parties highlighted the need to diversify Norway’s economy beyond hydrocarbons. They pledged to create new high‑tech and maritime jobs by offering tax incentives to startups and by modernizing maritime infrastructure.

Political Consequences and New Leadership

The UPI article includes a statement from the Conservative Party’s new leader, Johan Solberg, who has succeeded former party chief Erna Solberg after her retirement. Solberg is expected to form a cabinet that will include both his own party and the Progress Party, with a prominent role for the newly elected Frida Hauge as Minister of Health. Solberg emphasized that “the coalition is committed to delivering the promises made to the Norwegian people – a safer society, a stronger economy, and a fairer welfare system.”

The left‑wing opposition, led by Sofie Bø, the new Labour Party leader, has expressed skepticism about the coalition’s austerity measures. “We must not sacrifice the welfare benefits that have made Norway a global model for social equality,” Bø told reporters. “Our government will pursue a different path—one that prioritizes inclusive growth.”

Contextualizing the Results

For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of Norwegian politics, the UPI piece links to a concise overview of the Storting (the national parliament) on the official Norwegian government site. The Storting’s 169 seats are allocated using a proportional representation system that includes a 4 % electoral threshold for parties to enter the legislature. This system often results in coalitions, as no single party has ever held a majority on its own. The new composition will, however, allow the right‑wing bloc to pass legislation without needing the backing of left‑wing parties, a rare occurrence in recent Norwegian history.

The article also references a Nordic election data portal (linked to the European Parliament’s open data initiative), which provides comparative insights showing how Norway’s shift fits into a broader trend of right‑wing gains across the Nordic region, including modest gains in Sweden’s Moderate Party and Finland’s Centre Party.

Looking Ahead

The UPI article concludes by highlighting the implications of the new government for international policy. Norway, a key NATO member and a significant player in the Arctic region, will now navigate its foreign policy with a more conservative, security‑focused stance. The right‑wing coalition also faces the task of balancing Norway’s reputation as a climate leader with the practicalities of its oil and gas industry—a balancing act that will be scrutinized by global investors and environmental groups alike.

In the weeks that follow, the new government will hold a confidence vote in the Storting, a crucial step before formal cabinet appointments can be made. If successful, this election marks a decisive moment in Norway’s post‑industrial era, signaling a shift toward fiscal conservatism and a more stringent immigration policy, while still maintaining the nation’s hallmark of social welfare.

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