After winning a decisive parliamentary election victory, Norway’s centre-left opposition parties are starting coalition talks to try to form a majority government, with climate change expected to be central in discussions.
Labour leader Jonas Gahr Stoere will look to address voters’ concerns over global warming and a widening wealth gap, while ensuring a gradual transition, away from oil production and the jobs it creates, is gradual.
Stoere’s goal is to convince both the rural-based Centre Party and the mostly urban Socialist Left to join him, which would give his cabinet 89 seats, four more than what is needed for a majority in the 169-seat assembly.
He must persuade them to compromise on policies ranging from oil and private ownership to to non-member Norway’s relations with the European Union.
Stoere aims to focus, in particular, on on energy policy, including where to allow exploration while also cutting emissions.
“I believe it’s worth attempting to form a majority government,” Stoere told reporters after votes were counted late on Monday.
Norway produces approximately 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, accounting for more than 40 percent of export revenues.
Most major parties believe oil will play a smaller part over time and hope the engineering know-how of oil firms can be transferred to renewable energy, including offshore wind.
Conservative Prime Minister Erna Solberg said she would step down as soon as a new government is ready, with a cabinet headed by Stoere potentially taking office in mid-October.
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