Norway’s governing parties and the SV commit to electricity measures aimed at mitigating effects of high prices

The Labor Party (AP), the Center Party (SP), and the Socialist Left Party (SV) MPs in the Norwegian parliament (Storting) are asking the government to find measures that can ease the burden of sky-high electricity bills.

“With this proposal, we want to set aside all the uneasiness surrounding the issue of whether there will be measures (aimed at addressing high electricity prices) or not. Now we have decided that something will happen,” SV leader Audun Lysbakken told NTB.

“We state that there is a majority in the Storting that wants measures as a means, and it is thus an obligation,” he stated.

Agreement reached

The three budget partners agreed on the proposal late Wednesday night. At the same time, the proposal prevents a parliamentary majority for a number of other proposals on various support schemes for people with high electricity bills that will be presented in the Storting on Thursday.

However, the proposal clearly shows that there is a majority in the Storting to initiate measures, the party’s parliamentary leader Rigmor Aasrud pointed out.

“It is important that we get a grip and that the government starts working on this. Wise assessments must be made to get a system (in place) that works well,” she said.

A number of other electricity proposals will be presented in the Storting on Thursday. The Progress Party (FRP) proposes to pay NOK 4,000 in electricity support to each household in Norway, while the Liberal Party (V), the Conservative Party (H), and the Christian Democrats (KRF) want to give students an extra NOK 1,000 in scholarships.

Buying time

The SP’s parliamentary leader Marit Arnstad pointed out that the proposal will buy some time.

“With the proposal that is now being adopted, we are giving the government some time to assess which groups it is most important to support through measures and who needs the support most right now. I think we should take that opportunity,” she said.

The proposal asks the government “to look in particular at measures that can support groups that are particularly hard hit by extraordinarily high electricity prices.”

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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