Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg Monday announced his government‘s formal resignation after it presented its last budget to parliament. Stoltenberg‘s government will stay on as caretakers, pending the formation of a new government led by Erna Solberg, leader of the Conservatives, who won elections last month. The outgoing premier was later Monday to meet King Harald and inform him of the decision to resign and recommend that he task Solberg with forming a government. Solberg was set to form a new right-leaning government with the populist Progress Party.Progress Party leader Siv Jensen was tipped to be finance minister.
The incoming government lacks a majority but has signed a cooperation agreement with two smaller centrist parties that opted not to join the government.
Stoltenberg, 54, said the outgoing government‘s budget proposal was “tight and responsible” but told broadcaster NRK that “a new government is free to do what it likes.”
Outgoing Finance Minister Sigbjorn earlier said that Norway has “strong finances” and low unemployment.
The outgoing coalition took office 2005, was re-elected 2009, and comprised Stoltenberg‘s Labour Party, the Centre Party and the Socialist Left Party.
