Defence Minister untroubled by NATO proposals (NTB)

Defence Minister Bjørn Tore Godal is not unduly concerned by NATO’s plans to abandon its current practice of earmarking specific units which would come to the defence of Norway in an emergency. "NATO’s plan is part of the organization’s efforts to make its forces more flexible and mobile so that they can be deployed throughout the region. It will take several years before the plans are operational," said Mr Godal. It was revealed yesterday that elements within NATO want to disband the NATO Composite Force (NCF) whose role is to defend Norway in the event of a military emergency.

Cut electricity tax in half (Dagsavisen)

People are tired of soaring electricity prices and feel the level of indirect taxes is too high, according to former Energy Minister Ranveig Frøiland (Labour). She is calling for a 50 per cent cut in the electricity tax from this autumn. Ms Frøiland’s proposal is backed by several influential Labour politicians. A tax cut of that size would reduce the average household’s electricity bill by around NOK 1,300.

Labour looks for taxes to cut (Aftenposten)

The level of taxes, both direct and indirect, is becoming a hot issue in the election campaign. The Conservatives and the Progress Party have attacked the Labour government’s fiscal policies, and the Government is now combing the tax system looking for what Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg calls "small new indirect taxes which can be cut in this autumn’s national budget". The Labour Party’s fiscal policy spokesperson, Erik Dalheim, wants to abolish taxes on caravans, chocolate and fizzy drinks.

Christian Democrats make the most of Bondevik’s popularity (Dagbladet)

The popularity of Christian Democrat leader Kjell Magne Bondevik will be exploited for all it is worth during the party’s election campaign. The aim is to return him to office as prime minister. In addition to Mr Bondevik, Valgerd Svarstad Haugland will keep a high profile during the party’s campaign. "Our main objective is to market ourselves as a viable government alternative," said party general secretary Inger Helene Venås, the Christian Democrats’ campaign manager.

Centre Alliance gets no help from Petersen (Verdens Gang)

Conservative Party chairman Jan Petersen has refused point blank to help the three centre alliance parties form a new government after the election. He wants to take office himself. With almost 30 per cent of the voters behind him the Conservatives’ leader, Jan Petersen, has turned his back on the possibility of a new centre alliance coalition government. "After the election there will be two alternatives – a Labour government or a coalition including the Conservatives. I believe we can work things out with the Christian Democrats and the Liberals after the election. There is always room for negotiation on policy and positions," said Mr Petersen.

Cannabis divides cabinet (Dagbladet)

Health Minister Tore Tønne opposes the prospect of Norwegian fields filled with hemp plants. Recent statements by Agriculture Minister Bjarne Håkon Hanssen supporting the cultivation of hemp by Norwegian farmers has divided the Government. "I am basically doubtful about the idea because of the considerations I am obliged to take regarding the legalization and use of narcotics," said Mr Tønne. While underlining that it is not the growing of hash or other narcotic substances which is at issue, he still feels that the cultivation of hemp could have negative consequences. Deputy chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, Einar Steensnæs has called on the Government to clarify whether it supports the growing of hemp by Norwegian farmers or whether cannabis plants will remain completely banned in Norway.

Oslo’s housing sell-off halted (Dagens Næringsliv)

The Oslo County Governor has ordered the Oslo City Council to put its controversial sale of 1,744 units of hospital staff accommodation on hold until a decision has been made on whether the sale involves the purchaser receiving illegal state subsidies. "This means that the City Council cannot cede title to the properties until the County Governor has made his final decision," said acting County Governor Arne Bardalen. Before the County Governor can make a final decision the properties must be revalued because the original valuation documents were incomplete.

Norwegian economy buoyant despite international downturn (Aftenposten)

The US economy is experiencing a downturn, which is also affecting European markets. The Norwegian economy, however, is holding firm. Companies competing in the shipbuilding industry are among the first to feel the effects of any international economic downturn. But to the surprise of many, the industry has published figures showing that exports rose by as much as 15 per cent during the first half of this year. However, there are exceptions. Suppliers of furniture, car components and telecoms equipment have been hit by a reduction in orders.

Worth Noting

• They want to cut direct and indirect taxes, but are planning to levy a tax on illness. If the Conservatives and Christian Democrats form a coalition government, they will abolish the residential property tax and lower the high-income surtax. But if you have to take sick leave, you could face a 20 per cent cut in salary for the first 16 days. (Dagbladet)
• The attitude of most people to farming subsidies has become more positive. Even the Progress Party now supports state allocations to farmers, according to a recent survey by the market research company, MMI. (Nationen)
• That Steinar Bastesen is Norway’s funniest politician has now been confirmed – in the Storting’s official minutes, no less. The Coastal Party’s "figurehead" has provoked merriment in the debating chamber on 11 separate occasions. (Verdens Gang)

Today’s comment from Aftenposten

The Centre Party is currently facing a difficult uphill struggle. But with 94 out of the country’s 435 mayors, the Centre Party can, with a certain degree of veracity, still call itself the mayoral party. Yesterday the Centre Party used this position to launch a ‘local government rebellion’ against central government politicians, particularly those representing the Labour Party and the Conservatives. This initiative could have put the Centre Party’s election campaign onto a better footing than its ceaseless fretting over EU membership, which has not given the party the success its leaders out of habit thought it would. The party has put its finger on an important problem for society when it turns the spotlight on the gap between the tasks local authorities are ordered to undertake and the financial resources many of them have to carry out those tasks. Many of the Labour Party’s 163 and the Conservatives’ 86 mayors will doubtless agree with their Centre Party counterparts on this issue. The Centre Party has, deservedly, earned the reputation for being more willing in opposition to spend money on its pet policies than when it is in power. This undermines the credibility of the party’s proposed solutions to the problems it has quite rightly pointed out. But if the Centre Party’s initiative leads to a serious debate with the Labour Party and the Conservatives about how central and local government can work together to the benefit of the country’s inhabitants, the ‘local government rebellion’ could still be a constructive contribution to an election campaign which the voters feel has some relevance for their everyday lives.