Norwegians go to ballot boxes as country votes in parliamentary election

"Norway's parliamentary elections take place on Monday with polls forecasting a close outcome. Latest polls predict a close result but give left-leaning parties, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre's Labour party, a narrow advantage. However, the overall result could hinge on whether smaller parties on the left, such as the Green (MDG) party, get enough of a vote share to reach the threshold (sperregrense) for parliamentary representation."

"Over half of votes may already have been cast, with the record for advance voting broken at the end of last week. Stre has a slight lead in opinion polls and observers have suggested global uncertainty could push voters to back the perceived stability of a sitting government. Much of the campaigning, however, has focused on domestic issues like the cost of living, healthcare, inequality, education and the possibility of abolishing the wealth tax."

""There's a lot of potential for everything to be better here," Amalie Sydtveit, a 30-year-old physiotherapist, told news agency AFP ahead of Monday's voting. But given "the state the world is in, I believe that the stability of the government is important," she added. NATO member Norway shares a border with Russia in the Arctic and its economy is highly dependent on exports, so geopolitical issues can hit very close to home."

Parliamentary elections in Norway take place on Monday with polls forecasting a tight result and left-leaning parties, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's Labour party, holding a narrow lead. The overall outcome may depend on whether smaller left parties such as the Green (MDG) reach the electoral threshold (sperregrense) for representation. Record advance voting suggests over half of votes may already be cast. Campaigning centers on domestic concerns including cost of living, healthcare, inequality, education and possible abolition of the wealth tax. Global uncertainty and Norway's geopolitical position near Russia could drive voters toward perceived government stability. First projected results follow poll station closures at 9pm.

Read at www.thelocal.no