EurActiv Logo
EU news & policy debates
- across languages -
Click here for EU news »
EurActiv.com Network

BROWSE ALL SECTIONS

Norwegians say no to EU membership ahead of general election

Printer-friendly version
Send by email
Published 27 August 2013

Less than 20% of Norwegian voters want their country to join the European Union, according to a poll published ahead of a general election to be held on 9 September.

Seven out of 10 voters say no to Norway's EU membership, while only 19% think the country should join the union, according to the poll.

The no-voters are found in all parts of the country, among all age groups and educational levels, according to Norwegian media.

Høyre, a conservative party and the country's largest opposition group, says EU membership will not come on the agenda should it accede to power following the election.

According to the latest polls, the party's leader, Erna Solberg, is set to win the election comfortably and could thus become the second female prime minister in Norwegian history after Gro Harlem Brundtland, who took power in 1981, 1986-89 and 1990-96.

"EU membership will not be an important topic in the next term," said Torbjørn Røe Isaksen, Høyre parliamentary representative, according to Klassekampen newspaper.

Høyre voters are the most EU positive in the Norwegian public. While 60% are against EU membership, one third believes the Scandinavian country should join.

Among the Norwegian right-wing parties, the Christian People's Party is the only one which is completely against joining the EU. The Liberals and the Progressive Party do not have an EU policy, but the Høyre politicians wish to send an EU membership application.

"It's no news that a majority of Høyre voters are against EU membership. It has been like this for years. But Høyre's views are decided during the party congress, and there we still have a Norwegian pro-EU membership majority," Isaksen stated.

Norway has had two European referenda in the past. In 1972, a majority of 53.5% said no to joining the then European Economic Community and in 1994, 52.2% of the voters rejected EU membership.

Norway and Iceland are the only Nordic countries outside the EU. Last week Iceland walked out on EU membership talks.

While Sweden and Denmark are EU members, Finland is the only Nordic country which is both a member of the EU and the euro currency.

Next steps: 
  • 9 Sept: General elections in Norway
EurActiv.com

COMMENTS

  • We the eeople of the European Union , in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility , provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare,and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish a new constitution in a United States of Europe!

    By :
    We the people
    - Posted on :
    27/08/2013
  • "We the people"?? You mean about 10% of the people on good day.

    By :
    Charles_M
    - Posted on :
    27/08/2013
  • Charles_M- Posted on : 27/08/2013 F*** YOU and your arrogant manner of answering ! The 10% is your hope only ;-)

    By :
    We the people
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • Well said 'We the people'. you tell them. you are clearly a credit to an education system somewhere!

    I bet you cross main roads listening to your iplayer with your eyes closed.

    By :
    George Mc
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • The Norwegians and Iceland are not for it. Could this be catching?

    By :
    George Mc
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • Yes and I will free Scottland from the UK too :-)

    By :
    Nigel Farage
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • @ George Mc- Posted on : 28/08/2013

    Sorry George

    but i will call this a common sense of "education somewhere" between Charles_M and me !

    What he said is an disguised insolence too !

    By :
    We the people
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • @NFarage

    What are you smoking? You need to call in your carer and up your medication!

    By :
    George Mc
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • @ We the people

    If you rip the 'Lillian Ghish' you need to stand by for the fall out.

    I think Charles_M may prove to be a little too sharp for you!

    By :
    George Mc
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • "we the peoples" posting has been edited I see. However the tone remains the same, and merely demonstrates the frustration and anger of a delusional misfit who can't understand why no one agrees with him.

    By :
    Charles_M
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • Norway has a GDP per person of 77 000 Euros. Germany has a GDP per person of 32 000 Euros. http://bit.ly/198HauD Germany has a 2.2 trillion Euro budget deficit, a larger debt than the size of the entire French economy. They need Norway's money to bail them out.

    By :
    John M
    - Posted on :
    28/08/2013
  • http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/norwegians-eu-membership-ahead-g-news-529950#.UhyD0Dp0rI5.twitter

    http://synonblog.dailymail.co.uk/2013/08/iceland-to-eu-drop-dead.html

    #NO2EU Good Luck Norway !!

    By :
    UtdKingdom
    - Posted on :
    30/08/2013
  • The english name for Høyre is the Conservative Party

    By :
    Ola Norwegian
    - Posted on :
    31/08/2013
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Background: 

Norway voted against EU membership in a 1994 referendum and subsequently joined the European Economic Area (EEA), along with Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Trade from Norway to the EU amounted to €91.85 billion in 2008, and is primarily made up of energy supplies (only 14.1% is manufactured products). The EU's exports to Norway amounted to €43.58 billion, primarily manufactured products.

Norway's trade is dominated by the EU while Norway is the EU's fourth biggest import partner.

More on this topic

More in this section

Advertising

Videos

Video General News

Euractiv Sidebar Video Player for use in section aware blocks.

Video General Promoted 3

Euractiv Sidebar Video Player for use in section aware blocks.

Advertising

Advertising