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Norway government 'wins' election Norway government 'wins' election
(about 3 hours later)
Norway's centre-left coalition government looked set for a narrow victory in the general election. Norway's centre-left coalition government looks set for a narrow victory in the general election.
Two exit polls and official projections suggested PM Jens Stoltenberg's Labour-led coalition would win about 86 seats in the 169-seat parliament. An official projection with results in so far gives PM Jens Stoltenberg's Labour-led coalition about 87 seats in the 169-seat Norwegian parliament.
Two exit polls by domestic broadcasters NRK and TV2 suggest similar results.
If confirmed, it would be the first time a government in Norway has survived an election in 16 years, reports say.
A total of 85 seats are needed for an absolute majority.
"We can't say anything certain about the results," said Kristin Halvorsen, leader of the Socialist Left Party and coalition member.
"But victory seems within reach," she added.
Mr Stoltenberg, in power since 2005, has emphasised his success in guiding Norway through the economic crisis.Mr Stoltenberg, in power since 2005, has emphasised his success in guiding Norway through the economic crisis.
His main challenger Siv Jensen, of the right-wing Progress Party, campaigned on a platform of lower taxes.His main challenger Siv Jensen, of the right-wing Progress Party, campaigned on a platform of lower taxes.
She also wants to see tighter immigration, and stoked controversy by claiming Norway is being "Islamified".She also wants to see tighter immigration, and stoked controversy by claiming Norway is being "Islamified".
More than 10% of Norway's residents have foreign origins. They include many asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Eritrea.More than 10% of Norway's residents have foreign origins. They include many asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Eritrea.
'Safe hands''Safe hands'
Mr Stoltenberg's government is hoping to be the first to be re-elected in 16 years. Mr Stoltenberg had said voting for the government was the safest option.
Two exit polls published on television, after voting ended at 2100 (1900 GMT), predicted a slim victory for the government.
Siv Jensen's party want to broaden privatisation in health and educationSiv Jensen's party want to broaden privatisation in health and education
A projection on public broadcaster NRK forecast Mr Stoltenberg's coalition would garner 85 seats to the opposition's 84 seats.
But an exit poll on commercial TV2 station showed the government with 87 seats with 82 for the opposition.
An official projection by the Ministry of Local and Regional Government, based on 24% of votes counted, indicated the governing coalition would get 86 seats, compared with the opposition's 83.
The prime minister had said voting for the government was the safest option.
"The Labour Party has the best policies for stabilising the economy and protecting jobs," he said after casting his vote."The Labour Party has the best policies for stabilising the economy and protecting jobs," he said after casting his vote.
The world's fifth-largest exporter of oil experienced only a brief recession and has Europe's lowest unemployment rate.The world's fifth-largest exporter of oil experienced only a brief recession and has Europe's lowest unemployment rate.
The Progress Party pledged to spend more of the country's vast oil wealth at home and to broaden privatisation in both the health and education sectors.The Progress Party pledged to spend more of the country's vast oil wealth at home and to broaden privatisation in both the health and education sectors.