Norway's New Electoral Law Raises Concerns

Norway's new electoral law, effective May 1, 2023, mandates that political parties must secure at least 5,000 votes to gain automatic inclusion on future ballots, a requirement that has incited anger among smaller parties. At a recent meeting, leaders from these parties, including the Liberalist Party, expressed frustration over being unable to challenge established parties and the risk of losing valuable networks and support. The law's high threshold effectively disenfranchises smaller parties, as illustrated by the Liberalist Party's 2021 performance, where it garnered only 4,520 votes. To remain eligible, parties that do not meet the vote threshold must collect signatures from 1% of eligible voters, a daunting task for those with limited resources. This legislative change has raised concerns about the health of Norway's democracy, as it may curtail political diversity and representation. Critics argue that the law creates significant barriers for new and smaller parties, leaving them struggling to compete in the evolving political landscape.