Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has already started inviting other party leaders on the left side of Norwegian politics to his residence, for “political conversations” aimed at supporting his newly re-elected government. Støre’s Labour Party emerged as Norway’s largest party, but needs backing from others to gain a majority in Parliament on all issues.
The leader of the Socialist Left Party (SV), Kjersti Bergstø, was the first to be invited to the Prime Minister’s residence in Oslo late last week. She told reporters afterwards that talks were cordial and not binding in any way, as the party leaders seek common ground.
Next out was the Reds’ party (Rødt) leader Marie Sneve Marinussen on Monday morning, followed by the Greens’ party (MDG) leader Arild Hermstad. Both won more than enough votes for full respresentation in Parliament that gives the left side a majority.
All stressed that the one-on-one talks with Støre were not government negotiations, rather conversations on “which issues can unite us and which issues challenge us,” Hermstad told state broadcaster NRK on his way into the meeting. Støre intends to go it alone, leading a pure Labour government instead of a multi-party coalition.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
