Norwegians went to the polls today in the first round of a two-day parliamentary election that could reshape the country’s political landscape. The race pits Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere’s Labour-led left-wing bloc against a right-wing alliance led by the Conservatives and the populist Progress Party.
Issues of cost of living, taxes, and public services have dominated the campaign, while questions over energy supplies to Europe and management of Norway’s 2 trillion dollar sovereign wealth fund have also loomed large.
According to opinion polls, Labour and its allies are projected to win 88 seats-just enough for a majority-while the right-wing bloc is on track for 81. Voting concludes tomorrow evening.