DHAKA: Norwegian centre-right leader Erna Solberg is set to form a new government after Labour Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg admitted election defeat.

Ms Solberg described her win as “a historic election victory for the right-wing parties”.

Her Conservative Party is widely expected to form a government with the anti-immigration Progress Party.

It was the first election in Norway since Anders Breivik killed 77 people in a bombing and shooting in 2011.

With three quarters of the votes counted, the bloc of four centre-right parties had won 96 of 169 seats in parliament.

Mr Stoltenberg said he would step down after presenting the budget next month.

“In accordance with Norwegian parliamentary tradition, I will seek the resignation of my government after the presentation of the national budget on October 14, when it’s clear that there is a parliamentary basis for a new government,” he said.

The Labour leader, prime minister since 2005, congratulated Ms Solberg.

Ms Solberg, 52, will become Norway’s second female prime minister and its first Conservative prime minister since 1990.

Source: bbc
BDST: 0829 HRS, SEP 10, 2013
SR/BSK