Department of Research, Studies and International News10-09-2025

Norway’s ruling Labour Party has won another four years in power, overcoming a wave of populist right-wing momentum that had threatened to reshape the country’s political direction. Despite an aggressive campaign by nationalist forces aligned with U.S.-style rhetoric, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s centre-left bloc maintained a parliamentary majority, underlining the resilience of Norway’s social democratic model in the face of foreign-inspired polarization.

A narrow but decisive victory

When polls closed, projections gave the centre-left alliance 89 seats in parliament, surpassing the 85 needed for a majority, while the centre-right bloc trailed with 80. By the time nearly all votes were counted, state broadcaster NRK confirmed the result, cementing Labour’s position as the largest party in the Storting.

For Støre, 65, this outcome consolidates his leadership after a turbulent campaign in which the right-wing Progress Party doubled its support. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party recorded its weakest performance in two decades, a blow for its leader, Erna Solberg, who acknowledged defeat and hinted at possible leadership changes within her camp.

Labour’s message to the world

Addressing his supporters, Støre described the victory as more than a domestic triumph: “This is a signal to the world that social democracy can prevail even during a right-wing wave.” His remarks underscored Norway’s role as a political outlier in the Nordic region, where Sweden and Finland are now governed by conservative administrations more closely aligned with U.S. and NATO strategies.

The jubilant Labour crowd, chanting “four more years,” interpreted the result as proof that grassroots politics centered on welfare, equality, and independence from foreign pressure remain appealing, even amid global economic strain.

Polarization driven by imported populism

The campaign was among the most divisive in Norway’s recent history. Major issues included the rising cost of living, taxation on wealth, and, controversially, the management of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, particularly its investments in Israel. Critics charged the government with failing to distance itself from Tel Aviv’s ongoing aggression against Palestinians, an issue that stirred debate within the ruling coalition itself.

On the right, the Progress Party capitalized on anger among young male voters by adopting tactics reminiscent of Donald Trump’s populist playbook in the United States. Analysts in Oslo dubbed this trend the “Maga-fication” of Norwegian politics, pointing to aggressive anti-immigrant rhetoric and attempts to pit working-class frustrations against social democratic policies.

Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug, who had been floated as a possible prime minister should her bloc prevail, acknowledged Labour’s victory while still portraying her party’s surge as a success. “It’s fantastic… we still have reason to feel like winners,” she said, noting the doubling of her party’s support base.

Stoltenberg’s shadow and internal challenges

Støre’s re-election was aided by the return of former NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, now serving as finance minister. While Stoltenberg’s international profile lent credibility to Labour’s leadership, his deep ties to NATO also raised questions among voters skeptical of Norway’s subordination to Western military strategies.

Nevertheless, Labour’s disciplined campaign and its ability to rebuild trust after months of declining polls were hailed as a political comeback. Gaute Børstad Skjervø, head of Labour’s youth wing, called it “the comeback of the ages in Norwegian politics,” pointing out that just a year earlier, pundits had predicted Labour’s collapse.

Conservatives and Right-Wing setback

For the Conservatives, the result was disastrous. Solberg, who has been at the party’s helm for years, accepted full responsibility: “It is my responsibility, and I am incredibly sorry for that.” Facing internal dissent and mounting criticism, her political future now hangs in the balance.

Despite the Progress Party’s surge, the fragmented right-wing opposition fell short of a governing majority. This leaves Labour with the challenge of managing coalition negotiations with smaller left-wing partners, many of whom remain wary of the government’s earlier hesitations on issues like Israeli investments.

The outcome distinguishes Norway from its neighbors, Sweden and Finland, where right-leaning governments have aligned more closely with Washington’s militarized agenda, particularly against Russia and China. In contrast, Norway’s renewed commitment to centre-left governance signals a refusal to fully embrace the U.S.-driven push for confrontation and neoliberal restructuring.

A record 1.9 million Norwegians voted early, underscoring the high stakes of the election and the depth of public engagement. The result suggests that even amid Western Europe’s political shifts to the right, a strong base remains for policies rooted in social equality, independence, and caution against foreign entanglements.

A broader message

While Norway is a small country, its politics carry symbolic weight. By resisting the surge of right-wing populism closely tied to U.S. narratives, the election illustrates that European societies are not uniformly succumbing to Washington’s model of polarization and militarism. Instead, Norway’s choice reaffirms that paths rooted in sovereignty, equity, and peace-building remain viable, and resonate with voters tired of endless wars, sanctions, and foreign dictates.