Norway’s election race enters final stages

Final campaigning is underway in Norway’s looming general election.

Norway’s so called Iron Lady, Siv Jensen joined the Scandinavian country’s other main party leaders in a live TV debate yesterday.

Modelling herself on former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, Jensen has vowed to overhaul Norway’s welfare state and apply a free-market system.

She may get her opportunity. Polls show her right-wing Progress Party and its potential coalition partners are locked in a tight race with current Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg’s left-leaning Labour party.

Stoltenberg has slammed his opponents planned reforms, which include increased privatisation of Norway’s health and education systems and using the Nordic state’s vast oil wealth to cut taxes.

Immigration also remains a divisive issue ahead of the September 14 poll. Immigrants make up 10 percent of Norway’s population and Jensen’s Progress Party is demanding newcomers do more to integrate into society.

euronews will bring you full coverage of the election on Monday night.

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tags: Elections, Norway, Politics