Norway's Labour Party Secures Second Term Amid Rising Right-Wing Populism

Sun Sep 14 2025 00:57:36 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a closely contested election, Norway's Labour party, led by Jonas Gahr Støre, retains power, while the populist Progress Party surges to second place with significant voter support.

Norway's Labour party has successfully secured a second term in the general elections, overcoming a strong challenge from the right-wing Progress Party, which almost doubled its voter base. With a turnout of 78.9%, Labour won 28.2% of the vote, securing 53 seats in the Storting. The recent elections focused on national issues, particularly economic concerns, while the rise of the Progress Party underscores a shifting political landscape in Norway.

Norway's Labour party under Jonas Gahr Støre has won a second term in general elections, ahead of a populist right-wing party that doubled its vote.

In a country used to minority governments, Labour has a chance of forming a narrow two-seat majority in the 169-seat Storting, if it secures the support of four smaller parties on the centre left.

Norway's four million voters came out in big numbers, with a turnout of 78.9%, the biggest for years.

The anti-immigration Progress Party of Sylvi Listhaug made the biggest gains, securing almost 24% of the vote and 48 seats.

Jonas Gahr Støre, 65, told jubilant supporters that even though right-wing forces were on the rise in Europe, social democrat parties could still win elections.

With most votes counted, Labour won 28.2% of the vote and 53 seats, an improvement on its showing in the 2021 election.

The campaign was initially dominated by foreign policy, including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, but shifted towards domestic issues like rising living costs and reforms in the oil industry.

Support for Labour was buoyed when former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg joined the government as finance minister earlier this year.

Sylvi Listhaug congratulated Støre on his victory but warned that Norway faces significant challenges in the coming years.

The Conservatives experienced a loss, securing only 14.6% of the vote, with their leader, former prime minister Erna Solberg, indicating she may not run again.

Coalition building is anticipated to take several weeks, and should Labour succeed in forming a majority, they will need to navigate policy disagreements with smaller parties regarding the oil industry and investments from Norway's sovereign wealth fund.