2013 Norwegian parliamentary election
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| 2013 Norwegian parliamentary election | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election name | 2013 Norwegian parliamentary election |
| Country | Norway |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2009 Norwegian parliamentary election |
| Previous year | 2009 |
| Next election | 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election |
| Next year | 2017 |
| Seats for election | All 169 seats in the Storting |
| Majority seats | 85 |
| Turnout | 78.2% (1.0 pp) |
| Election date | 9 September 2013 |
| Leader1 | Jens Stoltenberg |
| Party1 | Labour Party (Norway) |
| Alliance1 | Red–Green coalition (Norway) |
| Leaders seat1 | Oslo |
| Last election1 | 64 seats, 35.4% |
| Seats1 | 55 |
| Popular vote1 | 874,769 |
| Percentage1 | 30.8% |
| Swing1 | 4.6 pp |
| Leader2 | Erna Solberg |
| Party2 | Conservative Party (Norway) |
| Alliance2 | Blue–Bloc |
| Leaders seat2 | Hordaland |
| Last election2 | 30 seats, 17.2% |
| Seats2 | 48 |
| Seat change2 | 18 |
| Popular vote2 | 760,232 |
| Percentage2 | 26.8% |
| Swing2 | 9.6 pp |
| Image4 | 150px |
| Leader4 | Siv Jensen |
| Party4 | Progress Party (Norway) |
| Alliance4 | Blue–Bloc |
| Leaders seat4 | Oslo |
| Last election4 | 41 seats, 22.9% |
| Seats4 | 29 |
| Seat change4 | 12 |
| Popular vote4 | 463,560 |
| Percentage4 | 16.3% |
| Swing4 | 6.6 pp |
| Posttitle | Prime Minister after election |
| Before election | Jens Stoltenberg |
| Before party | Labour Party (Norway) |
| After election | Erna Solberg |
| After party | Conservative Party (Norway) |
2013 Norwegian parliamentary election was held on 9 September 2013 to elect all 169 members of the Storting, the unicameral parliament of Norway. The election resulted in a decisive victory for the centre-right opposition bloc, ending eight years of centre-left government led by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and his Red–Green coalition. The Conservative Party, led by Erna Solberg, achieved its best result since 1985, paving the way for Solberg to form a new government with the support of the Progress Party, the Liberal Party, and the Christian Democratic Party.
Background
The election followed the full four-year term of the second cabinet led by Jens Stoltenberg, a coalition between the Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party, and the Centre Party. Key issues during the campaign included management of the Government Pension Fund Global, taxation, and the future of Norway's extensive welfare state. The political landscape was also shaped by the aftermath of the 2011 Norway attacks, which had fostered a period of national unity. However, debates over immigration, oil exploration in the Lofoten area, and infrastructure spending, such as improvements for the Bergen Line, became central points of contention between the competing blocs.
Parties and leaders
The incumbent Red–Green coalition was led by Labour's Jens Stoltenberg, with the Socialist Left headed by Audun Lysbakken and the Centre Party led by Liv Signe Navarsete. The main opposition, often referred to as the Blue–Bloc, was spearheaded by Erna Solberg of the Conservative Party. Her potential coalition partners included the populist right-wing Progress Party under Siv Jensen, the centrist Liberal Party led by Trine Skei Grande, and the Christian Democratic Party headed by Knut Arild Hareide. Other significant parties contesting the election were the Green Party with co-spokespersons Hanna Marcussen and Rasmus Hansson, and the Red Party led by Bjørnar Moxnes.
Opinion polls
Throughout 2012 and 2013, opinion polls conducted by firms like Gallup and Respons Analyse consistently showed a strong lead for the opposition Conservative Party and a decline for the governing Labour Party. Polls indicated significant losses for the Progress Party compared to the 2009 election, but still sufficient support for a potential right-wing majority. The Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party were polling near or below the 4% national threshold, creating uncertainty about the Red–Green coalition's viability. These trends were reflected in major newspapers like Aftenposten and VG in the final weeks before the vote.
Results
Voter turnout was 78.2%, a slight decrease from 2009. The Conservative Party won 26.8% of the vote and 48 seats, a dramatic gain of 18 mandates. The Labour Party remained the largest single party with 30.8% but lost 9 seats, finishing with 55. The Progress Party received 16.3% and 29 seats, a significant loss of 12. The Christian Democratic Party (5.6%), the Liberal Party (5.2%), the Centre Party (5.5%), and the Socialist Left Party (4.1%) all crossed the threshold for leveling seats. The Green Party narrowly missed representation with 2.8%. The results gave the four non-socialist parties—Conservative, Progress, Liberal, and Christian Democratic—a combined 96 seats, a clear majority in the Storting.
Aftermath
The election result led to the resignation of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and the dissolution of his coalition. On 16 October 2013, Erna Solberg was appointed Prime Minister by King Harald V, heading a minority coalition of her Conservative Party and the Progress Party, marking the first time the latter entered government. The coalition relied on parliamentary support from the Liberal Party and the Christian Democratic Party through a formal agreement, often called the Solberg and the 1. 2013