Summary
Norway is voting for its next parliament, with a close competition between the centre-left bloc led by the Labour Party and the centre-right bloc led by the Progress Party and Conservatives. Key issues include inequality, taxation, and the controversy over investments tied to Israel by Norway's sovereign wealth fund. The outcome will depend on proportional representation, with no single party expected to win a majority.
Key Facts
- Norway's election involves choosing 169 members of its national legislature, the Storting, for four years using proportional representation.
- Key issues in the election are taxation, economic inequality, and investments in Israel by Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
- The sovereign wealth fund, set up from oil sales, is the world's largest, valued at $2 trillion.
- Nine parties are expected to win seats, covering both centre-left and centre-right coalitions.
- Labour's Jonas Gahr Stoere aims to stay in power, while Sylvi Listhaug or Erna Solberg could lead a centre-right government if they win.
- Labour supports stable taxes, while some allies push for higher taxes on the wealthy.
- Voting started in July with final votes cast on September 8, and early results expected that evening.
- No party is predicted to win an outright majority, leading to likely coalition negotiations.
