The Norwegian Labour Party (Ap) has experienced a notable drop in public support, according to a new poll conducted by Norstat for NRK. The party's approval ratings have fallen by 5 percentage points, bringing their support down to 21.8%, marking the lowest level since the Centre Party exited the coalition government a little over a year ago. Kari-Anne Opsal, the party's secretary, highlighted the damage to public trust stemming from the Epstein files as a likely contributing factor to this decline.

In contrast, the Conservative Party (Høyre) has made notable gains in the same poll, increasing its support by 4 percentage points to a total of 20%. Høyre's newly elected leader, Ine Eriksen Søreide, suggested that this change may not solely be attributed to individual factors but rather reflects a broader political shift. She pointed out that recent policy discussions during the party congress have resonated positively with voters, indicating a potential reevaluation of political sentiments.

The dynamics in Norwegian politics are shifting, as public opinion appears to be responding to party activities and controversies. The decline of the Labour Party raises important questions about voter loyalty and the political implications for upcoming elections, particularly regarding how parties address issues of trust and accountability. As the Labour Party reassesses its strategies in light of recent polling, the Conservative Party aims to solidify its position by continuing the dialogue started at their recent congress, which could further influence voter perception.