Conservative Party leads again
Jonathan Tisdall
Oppdatert: 28.08.01 kl. 14:15 Publisert: 28.08.01 kl. 13:01
Norway's Conservative Party moved back into pole position in opinion polls, edging slightly ahead of the ruling Labor party ahead of September's general election. Labor had surged forward in recent weeks.
Both of the leading parties actually lost ground in the latest poll by Norsk Gallup, with Labor dropping 3 percent points to 24.5 and the Conservatives dropping 0.5 of a percent point to end on 25.5.Former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik also had reason for concern as his Christian Democrat Party slid to 9 percent, back 1.5 points.The big winner in the latest survey is the Socialist Left Party who gained 1.5 points to move up to 12 percent. The central coalition Left and Center parties, which formed the previous minority government with the Christian Democrats, also had reason to celebrate.The Left Party rose 1.5 points to 4 percent, which would net them seven parliamentary representatives, up one from the previous election if the forecast proves accurate.The Center Party, most noted for their stern opposition to Norwegian membership in the European Union, gained one point to stand at 5 percent.
Aftenposten Interactive English Desk
Jonathan Tisdall