Norwegian Labor Party removes free ferry pledge website
Norway's Labor Party has removed a webpage promoting free ferry travel after abandoning the policy in their new budget. The timing raises questions about political transparency as the page disappeared shortly after elections. The move has angered their former coalition partner and affected coastal communities.
The Norwegian Labor Party has deleted a webpage promoting free ferry travel. This follows their decision to scrap the free ferry scheme in the 2026 state budget proposal.
The webpage previously claimed the party had "halved ferry ticket prices and made ferries free for communities without road connections to the mainland." Now visitors find only an error message saying the page no longer exists.
Internet archives show the page was last saved on September 12, just four days after the national election. The party has since removed it entirely.
Why remove a campaign promise after the election? The timing raises questions about political transparency.
The Labor Party's communications chief explained the change in an email statement. She said party websites must reflect current policies and government proposals. The state budget presentation provided a natural opportunity for updates.
Meanwhile, the Center Party has reacted strongly to the policy reversal. Their leader called the decision shocking. He said it appears the Labor Party is systematically cutting programs that develop rural areas.
The ferry policy change affects coastal communities that depend on ferry connections. Many remote Norwegian towns lack road links to the mainland.
Political observers note this creates tension between the former government partners. The Center Party now considers dropping budget negotiations with the Labor Party over these cuts.
The deleted webpage represents more than just a policy change. It shows how quickly campaign promises can disappear after elections.