Norwegian elections

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) expresses concern that the results of the Norwegian Storting (parliamentary) and Sameting (Sámi parliament) elections mark a worrying shift in the country’s political climate and that the rights of the Sámi are coming under increasing pressure. Norway, the first state to ratify ILO Convention 169 on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, has worked to reduce structural and political inequalities against the Sámi in the political system in recent decades.

"The Social Democrats' success in the parliamentary elections shows continued support for the Sámi's right to self-determination. However, in both elections, the substantial rise in support for right-wing populist parties indicates an alarming development that could threaten their rights”, says Gerrit Hofert, human rights advisor at the Society for Threatened Peoples.

In the Storting election, The Progress Party (FrP) – now the second largest with 23.9 percent* – has repeatedly stated its ambition to dismantle the Sámi parliament. Second largest in the Sameting election with 32.7 percent* of the votes, the party NKF (North Calotte People) is often compared to FrP because of their shared use of populist rhetoric. The Sámi-party aims to remove the use of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) – an internationally recognized principle requiring Indigenous Peoples to be consulted before undertaking any action that may affect their lands, territories, resources, or rights - as a basis for decision-making in cases affecting the Sámi. The Sameting does not have governing nor legislative authority: its role is to advise on Sámi culture, language, and society. The body was created in 1989 to ensure participation and representation by Sámi stakeholders, in a geographical area where the Sámi population faced severe oppression in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“Both parties argue that special Sámi rights create unequal treatment of citizens. However, the opposite true. Cases like the construction of the Alta dam, and the wind-farm project in Fosen, show that the Sámi population still does not have the self-determination over land areas which legally they should have”, explains Hofert. This approach carries the risk of undermining Sámi rights. For example, reindeer herding, an important cultural Sámi tradition, faces pressure when industrial development projects such as mines or energy initiatives are proposed in Sámi areas, warns the STP. Removal of the Sámi right to free, prior and informed consent could give rise to situations where economy and industry is given a higher priority than the wellbeing of communities, the environment, and Sámi cultural traditions.

“The new Norwegian government must not allow populist rhetoric to erode Sámi rights,” demands Hofert. “The new government must strengthen the Sameting, uphold the Sámi's right to consultation, and fully comply with its obligations to protect indigenous communities. Genuine participation is a minimum human right." The protection of indigenous peoples' rights is enshrined in international treaties such as ILO 169, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

*As of September 10, 2025, 3 p.m. At this point, 92 percent of the votes cast in the Sámi Parliament elections and 99 percent of the votes cast in the parliamentary elections have been counted.