Since the US elections took up so much time in Norway, here's Norway's election!

[nomix]

The Exit polls were just published, and the conclusion right now is that the current government will continue in power.

The BBC has not yet updated their story on the election, bad BBC!

The Norwegian parliament, Stortinget has 169 members, the government needed 85 seats to win the election, and they seem to have won in most of the exit polls, even if there is exceptions. It seems like left wing party R?dt has made its best election in years, and might get a mandate in Stortinget.

The results of the exit poll of the National Broadcaster NRK is as follows;

R?dt: 2,4 % (+ 1,2)
Sosialistisk Venstreparti: 9,8 % (+1,0 %)
Arbeiderpartiet: 31,8 % (-0,9 %)
Senterpartiet: 6,8 % (+ 0,3 %)
Venstre: 4,5 % (- 1,4 %)
Kristelig Folkeparti: 6,0 % (- 0,8 %)
H?yre: 15,1 % (+ 1.0 %)
Fremskrittspartiet: 21,6 % (- 0,5 %)

Here's something I've written about the different parties.

R?dt, Red, it is a companion between AKP/m-l (Arbeidernes Kommunistparti/marxist-leninistene, or The Workers Communist Party, marxist-leninists) and R?d Valgallianse (Red Alliance), and is the most leftist party considered serious in Norway. It has no seat in the Parliament. Ideology: maoism, marxism-leninism

Sosialistisk Venstreparti, Socialist Left, derived from Sosialistisk Folkeparti (Socialist People's party), this party has an environmental profile, and it's considered the most radical party in the Parliament. It is today part of the current administration. Ideology: Socialism/socialdemocratic.

Arbeiderpartiet, Labour Party. The Labour party is the mainstay of the left side in Norwegian politics. First forming government in 1928, it was instrumental in introducing the concept of the wellfare state to Norway, in much the same way as Labour with Clement Attlee did so in Britain with the NHS, it also held power between 1945 and 63, under Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen. Has had its ups and downs, but has doubtlessly shaped Norwegian society more than any other party during the last 60 years. Part of the current administration. Ideology: Socialdemocractic.

Senterpartiet, Center Party. Originally called Bondepartiet (Farmers Party), it is a strange mix of social democratic ideology and christian conservativeness. Has been greatly reduced since its days of glory in the 20s and the early 70s. Still the choice for most farmers, believes in subsidising farmers. Part of the current administration. Ideology: Socialdemocratic.

Venstre, Left/Liberal party. This is Norway's oldest party, and it is a strange one. It was brought back from extinsion by current party leader Lars Sponheim, known for his carisma, weird dialect and good retorics. It's an environmental party, and fights for small businesses, but's also greatly in favor of personal freedom where possible. Ideology: Socialdemocratic/liberal.

Kristelig folkeparti, Christian People's Party. Is pretty much what it says on the box, it's quite conservative, and puts great value on traditional family values. Ideology: Christian/socialdemocratic.

H?yre, Right/Conservative Party. H?yre is the grand old man among the conservative parties. It's Norway's second oldest party, and it's a party that values business greatly. In favor of tax cuts. Ideology: Socialdemocratic/conservative.

Fremskrittspartiet, Progress Party. Originally called Anders Langes parti for nedsettelse av skatter og avgifter (Anders Lange's Party for tax cuts), it arose to new heights after being taken over by carismatic leader and party king Carl I. Hagen after Lange's death sometime in the 70s. Hagen renamed the party Fremskrittspartiet, and in the time since, it's gotten steadily bigger. Originally a liberal party, it soon started to focus its energies on new groups of potential voters. They've been the most immigrant-hostile party in Norwegian politics for close to 30 years, as well as advocating tax cuts and higher public spending. It's probably the party most people love to hate. It's now the second largest party in Norway. Ideology: Socialdemocratic/liberal/conservative/populist

In addition, there's a lot of other smaller parties on the left and right, but they have little relevance to anything.

It's also worth noting that all parties above lay far to the left compared to American politics, while a comparison with British politics would seem more accurate.

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DEBATE!

 

[Interrobang]

[...]DEBATE!

Seems like forming coalitions with so many parties under 20% won?t be easy, won?t it? And no really "big" losers or winners ... just rather moderate losses or wins.

 

[nomix]

Well, that is indeed an interesting point.

Especially SV and AP (two of the parties in government right now) currently battle over exploring for oil in Lofoten in Northern Norway, AP won't take a stand until there's better data about the possibilities, while SV is strongly opposed. It's a hot potato (or as Dan Quale said, 'potatoe'), it's Norway's answer to the Alaska issue.

On the other hand, the problems between the parties on the right side in Norwegian politics, especially between Venstre leader Lars Sponheim and FRP leader Siv Jensen, who've been in each other's throaths during the election.

The first prognoses are out, I'll get back to you with the results.

 

[nomix]

The result is near as make no difference nailed.

BBC: Government 'wins' election

Lars Sponheim, the leader of Venstre (Liberal party) is out of politics, this will probably be the big news after this election, but Erna Solberg and H?yres (Conservative party) big increase in support will also be a big issue.

 

[AiR]

Kristelig and Fremskritt are down, the current regime stays, a satisfying result.

 

[nomix]

Fremskrittspartiet isn't down, it's their best election ever.

I'd like to take a moment for Lars Sponheim, though. Shameful behavior from Carl I. Hagen..

 

[Hatmouse]

Impressed how many lefty parties there are

 

[nomix]

Oh, they are all socialists compared to the US. Fremskrittspartiet is often referred to as an extremist right wing neo-conservative market liberalistic bunch of fascists in Norway, but they would still be seen as leftist commie bastards by the US Green Party.

 

[Heathrow]

Thanks for the overview of the party system in Norway. I have a few follow up questions, which I hope you don?t mind.

What are the various parties? positions toward joining the EU?

Or the Euro?

What are the terms of the Schengan associate status for Norway?

.. and which party wants more or less of the above.

 

[nomix]

Thanks for the overview of the party system in Norway. I have a few follow up questions, which I hope you don?t mind.

Sure, I'll do my very best.

What are the various parties? positions toward joining the EU?

Arbeiderpartiet and H?yre are the only parties wishing to join the EU. With regards to parties that might be in favor of EU membership, Fremskrittspartiet and Venstre would fall into that category, but neither party has wished to take a stand on the issue, fearful of losing voters.

I think Venstre will become in favor of EU membership in the coming few years, Fremskrittspartiet is more tricky. The party has two big blocks, the economic liberalists and value conservatives, and the economic conservative patriots (lacking a better word). Fremskrittspartiet has a lot of voters that are very avare of being Norwegian (note resistance to immigration), and therefore they are generally oposed to the EU, while the economic liberals generally are in favor.

The biggest no-parties are Senterpartiet and Sosialistisk Venstreparti, but also R?dt and Kristelig folkeparti are clear oponents of membership in the EU.

But at the same time, it isn't as easy as that, as the EU is such a big issue that it won't be handled in the parliament, it will be decieded by referendum. We have had two such referendums over the EU, in 1972 and 1994, both ended up with slight majorities for the no-side.

It's not constitutional, but then again, according to our constitution, the King still appoints his government as he pleases, so the constitutionality of it isn't that relevant.

Or the Euro?

The same goes for the Euro. I think few Norwegians are in favor of using the Euro, even if they are in favor of the EU itself.

What are the terms of the Schengan associate status for Norway?

If I'm right, I think I'm answering your question with saying that Norway is part of the Schengen system.

.. and which party wants more or less of the above.

Answered in section about the EU itself, I think.

The EU has not been a big deal during this election. One reason for that is that the current government of Arbeiderpartiet, Senterpartiet and Sosialistisk Venstreparti are not in agreement over the issue, so the issue has been laid on ice by them. That's also true for the oposision, as the only party in favor right now is H?yre. H?yre has tried making indeciciveness around the EU a issue (especially regarding Venstre and Fremskrittspartiet), but they did not succeed.

The election's primary focus has been the issue of which groups might form government, and it's safe to say that it has hurt the right wing in Norwegian politics immensly, as Venstre and Kristelig Folkeparti has been clear about not wanting to co-operate with Fremskrittspartiet, and Fremskrittspartiet's promise of not supporting any government they are not part of themselves.

Happy to be of service.

 

[AiR]

Fremskrittspartiet isn't down, it's their best election ever.

I'd like to take a moment for Lars Sponheim, though. Shameful behavior from Carl I. Hagen..

I mistook the exit poll in your first post as the actual result.

 

[nomix]

My bad.

 

[AiR]

Yes it's your fault I can't read

 

[nomix]

Ever heard of the Swede who couldn't read? He had learned to bread.

 

[Heathrow]

Thanks Nomix, very useful and informative.

My questions on the EU etc were asked because everyone else in Europe seems to be rushing to join up with the notable exception of Norway.
It?s an interesting political question for you there.

On the Euro currency, I haven?t heard any moaning & beating from any European governments about how their country?s recovery from the current economic situation would have been better, without being part of the Euro.

So it seems that being part of the Euro in it?s first recession, is either the same as or better than, it would have been had they stayed with the old currency. (Italy the lire, Germany D-mark etc.)

If this is correct, maybe Norway, the UK and others should reconsider their positions?

(Sorry about the long, rather clumsy, sentences above.)

 

[nomix]

I don't think the Euro will be something for either Norway or the UK, simply because both countries have a love for their currencies, respectably the Krone and the Pound.

Both Norway and the UK is very conservative countries, when speaking of the national identity.

 

[Heathrow]

I don't think the Euro will be something for either Norway or the UK, simply because both countries have a love for their currencies, respectably the Krone and the Pound.

Both Norway and the UK is very conservative countries, when speaking of the national identity.

Aye, probably true.
But the Euro does seem to be working OK for France, Germany etc.

(I can understand why the Italians wanted rid of the Lire though, it sucked by the million.)

 

[NecroJoe]

Wait a minute...Norway has elections?

 

[nomix]

Aye, probably true.
But the Euro does seem to be working OK for France, Germany etc.

(I can understand why the Italians wanted rid of the Lire though, it sucked by the million.)

I remember there was a big wacka-doodle-dee-doo in Italy, they used to have like half a Euro worth of Lire notes, so they could have fun in strip clubs, but with the Euro, the smallest note is 5 euro, so they ended up having to give the stripper ten times as much money as before, or something.

Wait a minute...Norway has elections?

Yup, without using the courts!