Norwegian Government Defends Secret Tunnel Order During Election Campaign

By Nordics Today • October 25, 2025

Norway's government faces criticism for concealing a major tunnel project pause during elections. Ministers defended keeping the 9.4 billion kroner project secret as standard budget procedure, while opponents call it election deception. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between infrastructure needs and fiscal responsibility.

The Norwegian government faces accusations of deception for keeping a major infrastructure project secret during the recent election campaign. Opposition parties claim ministers withheld information about pausing the Stad ship tunnel project.

Fisheries Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss defended the decision to pause negotiations for the tunnel. She said the government followed normal procedures by waiting to announce budget-related matters. The project's costs had nearly doubled from the original 5.3 billion kroner estimate to approximately 9.4 billion.

Opposition politicians from multiple parties questioned why the government avoided answering parliamentary inquiries about the tunnel's status during August. The minister responded that such large financial decisions belong in broader budget discussions.

The controversy centers on whether the government concealed the project's pause for tactical election reasons. Critics argue this pattern of selective information sharing damages public trust.

The Coastal Administration had already spent 290 million kroner on land acquisition and geological surveys since 2021. Local municipalities invested another 100 million in preparatory work for the tunnel that may never be built.

This situation reveals the tension between political strategy and transparent governance. Voters reasonably expect full disclosure about major projects during election periods, regardless of budget timing.

What is the Stad ship tunnel? It would be Norway's first underground passage for ships, allowing vessels to avoid dangerous waters near the Stad peninsula. The project has been discussed for decades but faces recurring cost challenges.

Opposition parties forced the government to restart negotiations after the election. A parliamentary majority voted to complete the bidding process and present final costs for consideration.

The government maintains its position that the cost increase doesn't justify proceeding with the project. Local communities on Norway's western coast continue hoping the tunnel will eventually be built.