Norway's 2025 Parliamentary Elections

Norway is gearing up for its parliamentary elections on September 8, 2025, with several key issues shaping the campaign. The current government, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet), has been in power since 2021, forming a coalition with the Centre Party. However, the coalition broke down in January 2023 due to disagreements over the implementation of the EU's energy market package.

The Norwegian electoral system is based on proportional representation, with 169 members elected in secret ballot. This system ensures a fair distribution of seats, with the Labour Party becoming the strongest force in the last election in 2021, securing 26.4% of the votes. The remaining 19 seats are compensatory seats, one per constituency, to ensure a proportional distribution of seats nationwide.

Foreign and security policy, particularly in light of the threat of a Russian attack on NATO territory, is a key issue in the campaign. The Progress Party could become the second strongest force in parliament, nearly doubling its vote share to around 21 percent. This shift could have significant implications for Norway's foreign policy, given the Progress Party's stance on defence and security matters.

Energy policy has also been a heated topic of debate. Parties like the Centre Party have called for greater independence from the European market, advocating for a more self-sufficient energy strategy. On the other hand, left-wing parties have emphasised the need to tax high incomes and wealth more heavily to reduce social inequality, while also proposing lower taxes for low and middle incomes.

Another issue that has gained traction is the debate about investments by the state fund in Israeli companies. This topic has sparked discussions about Norway's foreign policy and its ethical investments.

The Sámediggi, the institutional representation of the Sámi population, will also hold elections on September 8, 2025. The Sámi are a nationally recognised minority in Norway, and the Sámediggi has 39 representatives who advocate for the interests and rights of the Sámi.

After the election, a left-leaning coalition led by Social Democrat Jonas Gahr Støre is suggested by a poll to have a narrow parliamentary majority. However, the predictions are uncertain due to the close results and some key parties possibly falling below the 4-percent threshold, complicating forecasts. Støre's Labour Party won 28.2% of votes and, with four other left-centrist parties, could form a government holding 87 of 169 seats, narrowly ahead of the right-wing opposition with 82 seats. However, the left bloc is deeply divided especially over oil and gas policies, making stable governance challenging.

Norway is a constitutional monarchy with King Harald V as the head of state. Voting in Norway is open to all citizens who have reached the age of 18 this year and are registered or were registered in Norway and are listed in the voter registry. As the election day approaches, the Norwegian public will decide the future direction of their country.