The National Congress of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's Labour Party has voted yes to do a study that examines the effects of potential oil drilling in the Lofoten-Vesterålen area in the north of Norway.
"A yes to an impact study does not entail that the area will be opened for these activities. The question of a potential opening will be processed at the party's National Congress in 2015," says the public statement issued by the Labour Party after they decided to go ahead with an impact study in the Lofoten-Vesterålen area.
The decision was made with 194 votes in support of an impact study, and 104 votes against.
The Labour Party is in a coalition government with the Socialist Left Party and the Agrarian Party, and neither parties support the Labour Party's decision.
"This shows that we have an open disagreement between the Socialist Left Party and the Labour Party about oil drilling in the north of Norway, and this is something the voters will have to take into consideration," party leader in the Socialist Left Party, Audun Lysbakken, tells NRK.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Agrarian Party says that the Labour Party's decision not to drill now, but also say no to a permanent protection of these areas, may be a good compromise if they end up in a position after the government election where they will have to negotiate a new government platform.
(NRK/Aftenposten)
Julie Ryland
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