Norway's Labour Party has secured a narrow lead in early election counting, with 89 seats projected against the centre-right's 80, with 99% of votes counted. A minimum of 85 seats is needed for a majority.
Despite a surge in support for the right-wing Progress Party, which doubled its seats, Labour leader and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomed the result, saying it shows social democracy can win despite a right-wing wave. He spoke to a jubilant crowd of supporters chanting 'four more years'.
The election was dominated by cost of living, wealth taxes, and relations with Donald Trump. The Conservative party had its worst election in 20 years. Leader Erna Solberg conceded defeat, saying the party would be in opposition and taking responsibility for the result.
Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug congratulated Støre, noting her party's strong performance. A record 1.9 million people took part in early voting. Despite the rise in support for the Progress Party, a centre-left victory leaves Norway an outlier among its Nordic neighbours, with Sweden and Finland led by right-wing governments.
