Norway’s conservative prime minister, Erna Solberg, and her rightwing coalition government will hold on to power for the next four years after claiming victory over the centre-left opposition by the narrowest of margins. It’s the first time a Conservative-led government has secured a second term in office since 1985. Labour had looked on course for victory, but lost crucial support ahead of the election with the economy recovering and unemployment figures down.

Elsewhere there was disappointment for potential kingmaker the Green party, while the government’s junior coalition partner the Progress party benefited from their strong stance on border control and immigration. We asked voters which party they supported, and what hopes they have for the next four years in Norwegian politics.

“Solberg’s government has stabilised the country, and I’m confident they will continue to do so”



I’m very happy that Erna Solberg and the Conservatives (Høyre) will continue to govern for another four years. The best way forward for Norway is a centre to centre-right coalition. The prime minister has done a good job in the last four years, and deserved a renewed vote of confidence. Solberg’s government has stabilised the country, and I’m confident they will continue to do so. They’ve kept Norwegian values at the heart of everything they’ve done so far. I’m very happy that there won’t be a change at the top. Anders

Jonas Gahr Store, leader of Norway’s Labour Party, applauds as he attends his party’s election meeting in Oslo on September 11, 2017 Photograph: Vidar Ruud/AFP/Getty Images

“I think it’s even more essential we do what’s right for the world, and not just our own country”

I felt that voting for Labour (Arbeiderpartiet) was the best way to spend my vote. I really wanted a leftwing coalition to take control of the country, swinging our politics away from the current anti-immigrant and conservative values to a more rational level-headed approach. I felt this was essential to keep both Norway’s and the world’s best interests in mind for the next four years. We are part of a global society which is largely shrunk by means of efficient travel and good infrastructure such as the Internet. We need to contribute to making the world a place of cohabitation and peace, and not one built on surveillance, paranoia and fear. We need to take care of the environment, and we need to really invest in green energy, which will very possibly become Norway’s new source of income and new major export for the next generation, when the oil industry comes to an end. With the political landscape in the Western world moving in a scary direction, I think it’s even more essential we do what’s right for the world, and not just our own country. E.S. Andresen

Rasmus Hansson and Une Bastholm attend a party meeting after Norway’s general elections, in Oslo on September 11, 2017. Photograph: Vidar Ruud/AFP/Getty Images

“I still think we need to put in place a plan for research, innovation and industry growth outside of oil”

I’m very disappointed that the Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) couldn’t get more votes. I was impressed with their focus on the environment and push for Norway to create a sustainable economic future of the country not based on oil and gas. I didn’t want the Progress Party to continue in government due to their stance on immigration and support for the richest in society. I still think we need to put in place a plan for research, innovation and industry growth outside of oil. Oil has put Norway into too much of a comfort zone for the last 20-30 years. We need to prepare for a new era. We also need to become a global leader in environmental efforts. TJ

Audun Lysbakken, leader of Socialist Left Party, casts his ballot at a polling station in Oslo during the general election Photograph: Gorm Kallestad/AP

“The ideal would have been a Labour, Socialist Left and Centre Party coalition”

This was a missed opportunity. It didn’t go according to plan mainly because of the Labour party performing poorly. The Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) did well. All leftwing party supporters wanted a change in government, and the ideal would have been a Labour, Socialist Left and Centre Party (Senterpartiet) coalition. There would have been more of a focus on worker’s rights, the environment and local hospitals. Ida



Siv Jensen, leader of Norway’s Progress Party, speaks with journalists after Norway’s general elections Photograph: Cornelius Poppe/AFP/Getty Images

“I’m very happy that Siv Jensen and the Progress Party will still have a decisive say in Norwegian politics for the next four years”

People across Europe are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the politics of the left. The left seems to want to protect the rights of every single sort of minority, but it doesn’t protect the majority of normal, hard-working, taxpaying people. This is why I’m delighted the Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) did as well as they did. They want to control Norway’s borders, and good on them for wanting that. They also stand up to the EU. Good on them for that too. The EU is marching in a direction that the people of Europe do not want. The EU repeatedly fails to earn a real mandate at European elections, as turnout has been declining at each consecutive one. It’s now as low as 42%. That is not a mandate of the majority. All in all I’m very happy that Siv Jensen and the Progress Party will still have a decisive say on the Norwegian government in the next four years. Bewo

Trine Skei Grande, leader of Norway’s Liberal Party Venstre, arrives for a party meeting after Norway’s general elections Photograph: Mariam Butt/AFP/Getty Images

“We need to keep Norway’s economy stable in very unstable times for the oil industry”

I’m delighted the Liberal Party (Venstre) didn’t lose more seats and surrender more power to the leftwing parties. The party still has an important role to play in Norwegian politics because of their balance between good environmental and economic policies. We need to keep Norway’s economy stable in very unstable times for the oil industry. It’s a relief the party can still help the Conservatives keep the leftwing parties out of government and carry on what has been four year’s of very good work in government so far. Vegard

• This article was amended on 14 September 2017. The Green Party did not lose multiple members of parliament as an earlier version said. The party kept the only seat it had in the last parliament. Rasmus Hansson’s seat will be filled by the other party spokesperson Une Aina Bastholm.