Norwegian budget crisis averted – temporarily
Published 20.03
Norway's Social Democratic minority government has had difficulty putting together an acceptable budget. An agreement was reached on Saturday – but so far there is no majority in parliament.
The Labour Party (AP), the Centre Party (SP) and the left-wing party Rødt announce that they have reached an agreement, after several weeks of negotiations.
The parties have agreed, among other things, to allocate more money to municipalities and regions, increase staffing in preschools and an emergency aid package for Gaza.
"All changes to the budget are made within responsible economic frameworks," says AP politician Tuva Moflag in a statement.
The Green Party MDG chose to withdraw from the negotiations earlier on Saturday. According to information to NRK, the SP has managed to get through a deletion of an original proposal to increase petrol and diesel taxes.
– We cannot approve and vote for a budget agreement that weakens climate policy in Norway, said MDG leader Arild Hermstad on Saturday afternoon.
The Socialist Left Party (SV) has also participated in the negotiations. It is still unclear how the party views the agreement.
Regardless, AP, SP and Rødt lack a majority in the Storting.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (AP) may therefore be forced to seek support from the right if the government is to get its budget through.
Høyre leader Erna Solberg is currently taking a wait-and-see approach to possible talks.
– Jonas Gahr Støre went to the election to govern Norway together with these parties. It is his responsibility if this ends in a government crisis at the first attempt.
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