The Conservatives (H) and Progress Party (FrP) are collectively just two seats short of reaching the halfway mark in the 169-seat Parliament, a recent poll shows.
Both Parties have gained 2.2 percentage points in voter support, taking their overall tally to 28.5 and 19.5 percent, respectively.
“This was a very good gift for the Easter holiday”, Conservative leader Erna Solberg told media.
Progress Party leader Siv Jensen said the results are “an inspiration” for her Party. "Many have worked hard for a long time, and we have been quick to point out solutions for the challenges that the Norwegian society is facing."
The poll was not good news for Labour (Ap), however, which slipped 3.3 percentage points. This gives the majority tri-partite coalition Party a 30.5 per cent support base.
Leader Jens Stoltenberg’s support is also waning. Whilst the last poll showed 52 percent wanted him as Prime Minister, it has now dropped to 46.3 percent. At the same time, Progress’ Siv Jensen’s popularity grew from 5.5 to 8.7 percent.
Party Secretary Raymond Johansen commented on the poll’s results.
"It is a reminder that we cannot take voters for granted. We have to fight everyday to get voters to win elections," he declared.
Erna Solberg believes that Labour’s significant fall is probably because there is “a perception that this government is in disorder, and I think it is simply because the people want to have a new government. Consequently, it is good for both the Conservatives and the Progress Party."
News was also mixed for the other two coalition Parties. The Socialist Left (SV) fell one percentage point to 4.6, whilst support for the Centre Party (Sp) increased by 1.1 percent to 5.1.
SV Party secretary Silje Schei Tveitdal told the broadcaster, “4.6 is not good. There’s been a lot of uncertainty associated with us, both as a result of electing a new leader (Audun Lysbakken) and general unrest in the coalition government. I think that it will be possible to turn this around in the time leading up to the general election."
The Christian Democratic Party (KrF) has 5.4 percent voter support, down 0.6, with the Liberals (V) ending on 4.6 percent, up 1.3.
Norwegian
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