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Solberg vs Listhaug: The Battle for Norway’s Top Job Heats Up
Article:
The stakes are high as the Norwegian general election approaches this September 8th, with the race for the country’s top job heating up. Former Prime Minister Erna Solberg (Høyre) and current Progress Party (FrP) leader Sylvi Listhaug have both thrown their hats into the ring, vying for the position of prime minister.
Solberg, who led Norway from 2013 to 2021, has made it clear that the most important thing about this fall’s election is achieving a shift in government. However, her stated neutrality on who should become the next prime minister may be mere diplomatic rhetoric.
"Absolutely, I can certainly do that," Solberg recently stated on NRK’s podcast Politisk kvarter when asked if she could serve as an ordinary minister in a Listhaug-led government. While Solberg’s adaptability and prowess in various political roles are undisputed, her desire for a significant role in the next government is evident.
Listhaug, meanwhile, has repeatedly expressed her belief that the largest party in a ruling coalition should hold the prime minister’s post. While there’s no established rule to support this, given the fluid nature of Norwegian coalition politics, her stance is understandable.
However, Solberg seems to acknowledge that securing a majority for a conservative alliance might require support from other parties. She hinted in the same podcast that której there are "only two parties on the right" could result in other parties being needed to form a government. This suggests she’s not entirely convinced that the current polls favoring FrP will translate into a clear vittoria for their bloc.
As the campaign heats up, Solberg and Høyre find themselves in a two-front war. On one side, they face the incumbent red-green majority, which shows no signs of relinquishing power. On the other, they must compete with FrP for the largest share of the right-wing vote. The race for Norway’s top job promises to be an exciting and hard-fought one.