A recent report reveals explicit attempts by foreign entities to influence Norway's electoral process, particularly by Russian and Chinese actors.
A new report from the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) highlights the first explicit attempts to influence the 2025 parliamentary election in Norway. It details how Russian and Chinese actors have increasingly targeted Norway, with Russians specifically critiquing the country’s support for Ukraine during the conflict. Notably, a pro-Russian hacker group conducted the '#OpNorway' campaign ahead of the elections, although a special advisor stated that this campaign did not impact the election results.
The report, titled 'Increasingly Complex and Unclear – Mapping Foreign Influence in Connection with the 2025 Parliamentary Election,' reveals a significant rise in the complexity and obscurity of foreign influence tactics directed towards Norway. Researchers analyzed over 22 million posts and comments on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Telegram over the past year. This in-depth analysis aimed to assess whether foreign actors were trying to sway Norwegian citizens in the lead-up to the upcoming parliamentary election.
Commissioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, the report underscores not only the direct interference attempts but also reflects a broader concern regarding the evolving strategies of foreign influence, raising alarms about the integrity of democratic processes in Norway. With geopolitical tensions rising, particularly involving Russia and the war in Ukraine, the findings of the FFI report illuminate the necessity for vigilance in safeguarding national elections.
