ONLY CHR.DEMOCRATS BENEFIT FROM ALLIANCE (Aftenposten)

The Centre Party and the Liberals are increasingly anxious about the state of the centrist alliance. Both parties’ ratings are dwindling, and they are often in direct opposition to each other on important political issues. The only party to benefit from the alliance is Kjell Magne Bondevik’s Christian Democratic party, and this worries all three parties. There are few signs of division, however. The prevailing view in the executive committees of the Centre and Liberal parties is that they must continue to keep cool and that there is still no good alternative to the centrist alliance.

LABOUR STILL FALLING (Dagsavisen)

Labour continues to slide and is now down to 25.5 per cent, while the Progress Party, in a survey conducted by AC Nielsen Norge AS, is breaking all its previous records. Support for the centrist parties is lower than ever. The Christian Democrats are down 5.6 points to 10.8 per cent, and the other two centrist parties, at 4.9 per cent each, show little movement. The Conservatives dropped 3.7 points to 10.6 per cent.

DIVERGING NORWEGIAN VIEWS ON DANISH NO (NTB)

"Norway’s pro-EU camp can give up its plans. The No vote in the Danish referendum is a tremendous inspiration to all who do not believe in Norwegian membership of the European Union," says Øystein Djupedal, Socialist Left Party deputy chairman. Per-Kristian Foss (Cons.) does not believe the Danish vote will have any significance, however. "Norwegian membership of the EU is en entirely different issue," says Mr. Foss.

KORSVOLD NOW OUT ON A LIMB (Aftenposten)

The Banking, Insurance and Securities Commission finds that Storebrand chief Åge Korsvold may have broken the law on two points when he bought stock options from his close friend, Stein Erik Hagen. Mr. Korsvold and Mr. Hagen called the trade off yesterday, but the Commission will continue its investigation. Mr. Korsvold’s options agreements with Mr. Hagen may therefore cost him his job.

THRIVING THREESOME (Dagens Næringsliv)

Relations between Storebrand CEO Åge Korsvold, supermarket chain owner Stein Erik Hagen and Jan Petter Collier, their preferred stock broker, have been flourishing. Through joint investments, collaboration projects and friendly services to each other, the three form one of the Norwegian business community’s most powerful constellations. "We live in a small country—that’s all I can say," says Mr. Korsvold, who also recommends Sundal Collier & Co. to his employees for their private investment needs.

KVÆRNER BOARD HOPES TO STOP RØKKE (Dagsavisen)

Kværner shareholders hope a motion which will prevent Kjell Inge Røkke from taking full control of the company will win the vote at today’s general shareholders’ meeting. Five thousand letters have been sent to the company’s shareholders to mobilize them for this vote.

EU WATCHING RØKKE (Verdens Gang)

The EU Commission could hamper Kjell Inge Røkke and Aker Maritime’s Kværner acquisitions. The Commission decided yesterday that it must discuss Aker Maritime’s acquisition of a 26.4 per cent stake in Kværner. Aker Maritime has been in a dialogue with the Commission for the past two-and-a-half months. One result of the Commission’s decision is that Kværner shareholders who have made out options to Aker Maritime cannot cast the votes their holdings represent at today’s shareholders’ meeting.

WORTH NOTING

• Elections analyst Bern Aardal says the Danish no to the euro could boost the number of Norwegians in favour of the EU, but only if Sweden and the UK also reject the euro as well. (Dagsavisen)
• A public commission recommends an increase in the number of seats in the Storting to 169, as well as empowering the Government to dissolve a Storting and hold new elections. The commission’s proposal suggests that the change should be effective starting with the 2005 general election. (Aftenposten)
• Nearly half the Norwegian population, or 48.1 per cent, to be precise, would like Carl I. Hagen (Progress) to be given a seat in the Government. It is not long since the general opinion was decidedly against Mr. Hagen. (Vårt Land)
• Orkla chief Jens P. Heyerdahl denies any knowledge of the recipient of the Orkla shares sold by Skandia for NOK 300 million below market price. (Dagsavisen)
• Tine Norwegian Dairy Association president Stein Øiom has secured a golden parachute, the details of which are strictly confidential contrary to the ethical guidelines laid down by the organizations in the farm sector. (Nationen)
• It now seems likely that part of the prestigious contract to raise the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk will be awarded to a three-year-old Norwegian company named Global Tool Management. The company has developed specialized skills in underwater sectioning of boat hulls, perfecting its techniques in the waters of Lake Mjøsa. (Aftenposten)
• Storebrand group CEO Åge Korsvold turned down an allegedly gilt-edged options agreement yesterday, though he retained nearly NOK 25 million in profits from previous options which were every bit as favourable. (Verdens Gang)

TODAY’S COMMENT from Vårt Land

Carl I. Hagen is someone one votes for in protest against responsible politicians, not because anyone wants to give him power and responsibility. This is the prevailing theory, strengthened by the fact that he does not perform nearly as well in surveys seeking to find out who people want as prime minister. A recent poll reveals that nearly half the electorate would at least like him to be a Government minister. This could be a new trend set in motion by the latest tide of voters swarming to the Progress Party, but it completely undermines the postulate that Progress’s sudden popularity is no more than a protest movement. The desire to see Mr. Hagen elevated to a seat in the cabinet must be seen in connection with the personal status he has acquired as one of Norway’s most experienced professional politicians. It is hardly based on any widespread wish to see the Progress Party’s political programme incorporated into public policy. Mr. Hagen is a talented politician with a wide register of political skills at his command, and he would probably do a good job as a Government minister. If we do not want him to given a ministerial post it is because we view his party’s political goals with misgivings. But it is up to the voters to decide. If they want to give Mr. Hagen responsibility, then this wish should be respected.

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