Conservatives promising lower taxes and higher spending of Norway's oil riches voiced confidence Tuesday they would soon take power after the country's long-ruling socialists suffered their worst election in nearly a century.
As Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg searched for parliamentary allies to keep his Labour Party government afloat, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party said Monday's general election result proved Norwegians wanted new leadership.
"We've invited the non-socialist parties to talk with us," Conservative Party leader Jan Petersen said.
"When an alternative to the current government is ready, I am certain that Jens Stoltenberg will give up his seat," Petersen said on state radio.
Norwegian media were virtually unanimous in agreement that the days of the Stoltenberg government were numbered, and even pro-Labour publications said the prime minister was not likely to retain the post for long and should focus on rebuilding the party.
"The party suffered such a violent defeat yesterday that we find it difficult to believe that it would be possible to continue in power," the left-wing tabloid daily Dagbladet said in an editorial commentary -- OSLO (AFP)
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