The Center Party in Norway leaves the government after a disagreement with the Labor Party. The decision, taken at a lunch meeting on Thursday, was confirmed by Center leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum.
At a meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Center leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum on Thursday, it became clear that the government cooperation between the parties can no longer continue.
– We say enough is enough, this is the limit, Vedum told VG.
The reason for the rift is said to be the EU’s fourth energy package, where the Labor Party has partly wanted to adopt the proposal while the Center Party opposed it.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre canceled his other commitments during the day to try to find a solution.
– He is doing so to continue talks with the Center Party, with the aim of finding a solution, says State Secretary Kristoffer Thoner.
Despite the talks, the party leaders failed to reach an agreement. However, the resignation does not necessarily mean that Støre’s time as prime minister is over. According to media sources, the Labor Party can continue to govern as a single party in a minority government.
The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for September.