Oslo
A leftist coalition won Norway’s parliamentary elections this week and immediately pledged to spend more money on welfare. The Labor Party, Green Party, Socialist Left Party, and Center Party had all campaigned against the tax cuts of the previous, center-right government. They want to spend more of Norway’s oil revenue on social programs, particularly programs to assist the elderly. “Many agree with our main message,” said Jens Stoltenberg, the likely new Labor prime minister. “That we can make Norway even better with the fantastic resources we have.” Norway enjoyed unprecedented growth under the outgoing government. For each of the past four years, the U.N. ranked Norway as the best place to live in the world.
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