Norway's Center Party withdraws from ruling coalition over disagreement on electricity policy

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – ​​​​​​​Norway’s Center Party has withdrawn from the country’s ruling coalition due to disagreements with the Labor Party over electricity policy, local media reported Thursday.

The decision followed a meeting between Center Party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who also leads the Labor Party, in Oslo earlier Thursday, public broadcaster NRK reported.

NRK noted that the split stemmed from strong disagreements over the implementation of the European Union’s Clean Energy Package. The Center Party has strongly opposed the policy, arguing it would weaken national control over electricity regulation and lead to higher electricity prices.

The withdrawal marks a significant political shift in Norway, raising questions about the future of the country’s energy policy and the stability of the Labor-led government.