The Norwegian Centre-Left tri-party coalition government is deeply split about the issue of possible opening for oil exploration outside Lofoten ad Vesterålen in Northern Norway. The internal spilt in the Labour party makes the issue even more controversial.
The Oslo group of the Labour party this weekend said in this weekend’s resolution: “The oil industry is clearly the most polluting sector in Norway and accounts for almost a third of climate emissions. In 2010, the management plan for the Barents Sea and Lofoten is up for rotation. Oslo Labour demands permanent oil-free areas outside Lofoten and Vesterålen,” Dagsavisen reports.
Read also: Norway closer decision on Lofoten oil
Head of Labour Youth Martin Henriksen says it’s important to have an open debate about the issue. –It is now more Labour party members that voice a clear stand against oil drilling in Lofoten, Henriksen says.
In January, the Norwegian Centre Party, another of the three parties in the Norwegian coalition government stated that they rejects starting a consequence study on oil and gas activity in Lofoten, BarentsObserver reported.
