Norway's political landscape shifted dramatically in the latest opinion poll, with the Progress Party (Frp) claiming the top position for the first time since January. The conservative party gained 1.8 percentage points from October's survey, reaching 25 percent support among Norwegian voters.
The Progress Party leader expressed satisfaction with the results. 'More and more people see that Norway needs a large and strong Progress Party,' the party leader stated in a public comment.
The Conservative Party (Høyre) showed the most substantial growth of all parties, jumping 3.5 percentage points to 19.7 percent. Political analysts suggest the recent leadership transition may be influencing voter sentiment. The party's acceptance of a new leader appears to have positively impacted their standing in the polls.
'Polling numbers fluctuate, but the party has certainly not declined,' noted one political researcher familiar with the data.
The Labour Party (Ap) experienced the most significant setback, dropping 2.2 percentage points to 22.6 percent support. This decline pushes them from their traditional leading position in Norwegian politics.
Among smaller parties, the Socialist Left (SV) registered 6.8 percent with minimal change, while the Centre Party (Sp) gained one percentage point to reach 6.4 percent. The Red Party (Rødt) held at 6.8 percent, and the Green Party (MDG) maintained 3.8 percent support.
The Christian Democratic Party (KrF) saw substantial decline, falling 1.8 points to 3 percent, barely above the parliamentary threshold. The Liberal Party (Venstre) also dropped one point to 3.3 percent, while other smaller parties collectively registered 2.5 percent.
This political survey conducted telephone interviews with 1,000 respondents between November 10 and 17. Among those contacted, 813 individuals provided answers about their party preferences. The margin of error ranges between 1.4 and 3.1 percentage points, with higher variability for larger parties.
The shifting political fortunes reflect ongoing debates about Norway's economic direction and immigration policies. The Progress Party's rise suggests growing voter appetite for conservative reforms, while the Conservative Party's surge indicates potential realignment within Norway's right-wing bloc.
Norwegian political polls typically influence parliamentary strategies and coalition negotiations. With several parties hovering near the 4 percent parliamentary threshold, even small shifts can dramatically alter government formation possibilities. The current trends suggest potential challenges for the Labour Party's traditional dominance in Norwegian politics.
International observers watch Norwegian political developments closely, as the country's policies on oil production, environmental regulation, and Arctic sovereignty have global implications. The strengthening conservative movement could signal policy shifts in these key areas.