Norway Politics Explained, Who Holds Power in 2026
NORWAY · POLITICS
Key Facts
- —Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre of the Labour Party, in office since 2021, leads a one-party minority government.
- —Parliament Labour holds 53 of the 169 seats in the Storting, Norway’s parliament; a majority needs 85, so it relies on other parties.
- —Reshuffle Three ministers left and three joined on 11 September 2026; Jens Stoltenberg, a former NATO chief, stayed as finance minister.
- —Ukraine money The government proposes keeping NOK 85 billion (about US$9.1 billion) in Ukraine support for 2027, which the Storting must approve.
- —Next election Norway votes every four years and cannot hold snap elections; the next vote is due in September 2029.
How Norway Is Governed
Norway is a parliamentary monarchy. King Harald V formally appoints the government, but he has no political role, and the elected cabinet decides policy.
This guide is part of The Rio Times series on European politics. See also our guides to Spain and Germany’s AfD debate.
The Storting passes laws, sets the budget and can topple a government with a vote of no confidence. After the September 2025 election Labour won 53 seats and the right-wing Progress Party 47, out of 169.
A One-Party Government Without a Majority
Støre’s cabinet has only Labour ministers, which makes it a minority government. It needs votes from other parties for every budget and for most laws.
That is why each budget round matters in Oslo. A government that loses a budget vote can fall, although Norwegian parliaments cannot be dissolved early.
The September Reshuffle
On 11 September 2026 Støre changed his team. Kamzy Gunaratnam became transport minister, Eileen Fugelsnes took research and higher education, and Torgeir Micaelsen took digitalisation and public administration.
Jon-Ivar Nygård, Karianne Oldernes Tung and Andreas Bjelland Eriksen left the government, and Sigrun Aasland moved to the climate and environment ministry. Stoltenberg, a former prime minister and NATO secretary-general, kept the finance ministry, and Espen Barth Eide kept foreign affairs.
Ukraine and the Oslo Talks
On 20 October talks on ending the war took place in Oslo with Støre, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, attended in person, while Jared Kushner, another US negotiator, joined by video.
The government proposes keeping NOK 85 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2027, subject to the Storting. Norway is in NATO, the Western military alliance, but not in the European Union, and it takes part in the EU single market through the European Economic Area.
Trump and the Nobel Prize
Navanethem Pillay, a former United Nations human rights chief, won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. President Donald Trump said at a rally in early October that Norway carries an indelible stain for not awarding it to him.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is appointed by the Storting but works independently of the government. Neither Støre nor his ministers choose the winner.
What It Means for US Readers
Norway is a NATO ally and a leading supplier of gas to Europe, so its stability matters for US security and energy markets. Its one-party minority government makes budget deals, not elections, the main source of political risk.
Washington also watches Oslo as a host of Ukraine diplomacy, including US envoys, and as a funder of Ukraine’s budget. The NOK 85 billion proposal shows Norway intends to keep paying in 2027.
The Nobel dispute has put an unusual strain on the tone between Washington and Oslo. The two governments remain allies in NATO.
What Is Not Known
The Storting has not yet voted on the 2027 Ukraine funding or on the full state budget. Which parties will back Labour on the budget is not public.
No peace framework or ceasefire came out of the Oslo talks on 20 October. What the US envoys discussed with Zelenskyy and Stubb has not been published.
It is not known whether Trump’s remarks will lead to any action against Norway. No such step has been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Norway’s prime minister in October 2026?
Jonas Gahr Støre of the Labour Party has led the government since 2021. His cabinet has only Labour ministers and holds 53 of 169 seats.
When is Norway’s next election?
The next parliamentary election is due in September 2029. Norwegian parliaments serve a fixed four-year term and cannot be dissolved early.
Does the Norwegian government choose the Nobel Peace Prize winner?
No. The Norwegian Nobel Committee is appointed by the Storting but works independently of the government.
Is Norway in the European Union?
No. Norway is a NATO member and takes part in the EU single market through the European Economic Area, without a seat in EU decisions.
Who changed in Norway’s government in September 2026?
Kamzy Gunaratnam, Eileen Fugelsnes and Torgeir Micaelsen joined on 11 September. Jon-Ivar Nygård, Karianne Oldernes Tung and Andreas Bjelland Eriksen left.
Sources: Government of Norway, Council of State of 11 September 2026; Government of Norway, proposal on NOK 85 billion for Ukraine in 2027; Storting, the Norwegian parliament; Norwegian Nobel Committee.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief