Labour Party’s Narrow Victory
Norway’s Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, has won a second term in the 2025 parliamentary elections. The party, along with four smaller left-leaning allies, secured 87 seats in the 169-seat parliament, barely crossing the 85-seat majority threshold.
Despite facing a turbulent first term with multiple scandals, economic struggles, and public discontent, Støre’s party managed to hold power, highlighting its resilience in the face of mounting political pressure.
Populist Gains Signal Shift
The election also marked a historic breakthrough for the right-wing Progress Party, which nearly doubled its seat count, making it one of the biggest winners of the night. This populist surge reflects a growing shift in Norwegian politics, echoing similar trends across Europe.
Challenges Facing Støre’s New Government
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Economic Pressures: Rising inflation and interest rates remain key voter concerns.
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Internal Stability: Støre reshuffled his cabinet earlier this year to rebuild trust, notably appointing former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg as finance minister.
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Foreign Policy Role: Norway’s position in regional conflicts and its management of the sovereign wealth fund will continue to dominate debates.
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Climate & Oil Policy: Balancing environmental goals with oil-based revenue remains a delicate challenge.
Outlook
While Labour retains power, the stronger populist opposition signals turbulent parliamentary debates ahead. Norway’s future policies on wealth redistribution, climate, and immigration will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.