Left triumphs but shape of red-green coalition unclear

Conservative prime minister Erna Solberg conceded defeat to the left-leaning opposition after a general election campaign dominated by the future of the oil industry in western Europe’s largest producer.

After Monday’s election the shape of the “red-green” coalition was far from clear. Exit polls suggested Jonas Gahr Støre’s centre-left party would win 48 seats in the 169-seat parliament, with his three-party coalition set for a slim majority of 88 MPs.

However, the potential alliance with the agrarian Centre party and the Socialist Left is divided.