Norway's Labour party holds narrow lead in early election results

"The Norwegian Labour party looked likely to remain in government as polls closed on Monday night, as preliminary results showed the centre-left had a narrow lead after a polarised election that saw a surge of support for the populist right. With 75% of the vote counted, state broadcaster NRK projected the centre left would win with 89 seats and that the centre right would take 80 seats."

"It's very close, but the centre-left is in the lead, Johannes Bergh, the research director and principal investigator at the Norwegian national election studies programme at the Institute for Social Research, said after polls closed at 9pm local time. But, he added: The Progress party is doing very well. According to forecasts, Labour, led by the prime minister, Jonas Gahr Strehad clearly emerged as the largest party, but they also showed a big swell in support for the Progress party,"

"The election was unusually close-fought and polarised, dominated by the cost of living, wealth taxes, oil fund investment in Israel and relations with Donald Trump. On the right, there was a surge in support for the populist rightwing Progress party especially among young men in what has been described by some as the Maga-fication of Norwegian politics. There was also discussion over its leader, Sylvi Listhaug, becoming prime minister in the event of a rightwing victory."

The Norwegian Labour party emerged as the largest party and led narrowly, with state broadcaster NRK projecting 89 seats for the centre-left and 80 for the centre-right with 75% counted. A minimum of 85 seats is required for a majority. The Progress party had a large surge, projected to have doubled its support, particularly among young men. The Conservative party recorded its worst result in two decades. Campaign issues included the cost of living, wealth taxes, the oil fund’s investment in Israel and relations with Donald Trump. Early returns suggested Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre would likely remain in office, aided by Jens Stoltenberg’s boost.

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