Norwegians will go to the polls for a final day of voting on Monday in a parliamentary election that remains too close to call between Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s centre-right block and the centre-left opposition headed by the Labour Party. While Solberg’s Conservatives want to cut taxes in a bid to boost growth if they win a fresh mandate, Labour leader Jonas Gahr Stoere seeks tax hikes to fund better public services. The outcome could also impact Norway’s oil industry, as either Solberg or Gahr Stoere is likely to depend on one or more small parties that seek to impose limits on exploration in Arctic waters off Norway’s northern coast.
Exit polls and forecasts based on early votes will be made public on Monday at 1900 GMT, and most ballots will be counted in the following hours, but in the case of an exceptionally tight race the wait could last until late Tuesday.
Adding to the suspense are the formulas used to allocate seats under Norway’s system of proportional representation, which give a boost to parties that clear a four-percent hurdle.
Full Article: Norwegians to vote in final day of cliffhanger election for parliament.