(08/18/09) -

Opposition Closes the Gap in Norway

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The governing Labour Party (DNA) remains the most popular political organization in Norway, according to a poll by Norsk Respons published in Aftenposten. 32.8 per cent of respondents would vote for Labour in next month’s legislative ballot.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The governing Labour Party (DNA) remains the most popular political organization in Norway, according to a poll by Norsk Respons published in Aftenposten. 32.8 per cent of respondents would vote for Labour in next month’s legislative ballot.

The rightist Progress Party (FrP) is second with 24.5 per cent, followed by the Conservatives (H) with 16.5 per cent, the Socialist Left (SV) with 6.8 per cent, the Christian People (KrF) also with 6.8 per cent, the Liberal Left (V) with 5.3 per cent, and the Agrarians (Sp) with 5.2 per cent.

In this survey, the level of support for the governing parties stands at 44.8 per cent, while the three rightist opposition forces—Progress, the Conservatives and the Christian People—reach 47.8 per cent.

In September 2005, Norwegian voters renewed the Stortinget (the Norwegian Parliament). Final results gave the Red-Green alliance—encompassing Labour, the Socialist Left and the Agrarians—87 seats in the 169-member legislative branch. Labour leader Jens Stoltenberg—who held the highest office from March 2000 to October 2001—took over as prime minister for the second time.

On Aug. 14, Stoltenberg said he is not concerned about recent surveys, saying, "There is still lots of time before the elections, and we will do whatever we can in order to mobilize those who wish that our majority government should continue."

Norway’s legislative election will take place on Sept. 14.

Polling Data

What party would you support in the next federal election?

Source: Norsk Respons / Aftenposten
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Norwegian voters, conducted in August 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.