00:00Norwegians headed to the polls on Monday in a parliamentary election
00:06in which the future of a wealth tax introduced over 130 years ago is a central issue.
00:12A close outcome is expected between a centre-left bloc
00:16led by the Labour Party of Prime Minister Jonas Garstöre and a right-wing bloc.
00:21Labour wants to keep the wealth tax, which applies a levy of 1.1%
00:26on assets and shares worth more than 1.76 million kroner.
00:30Labour says that scrapping it would cost 34 billion kroner per year.
00:36Of its rivals on the right, the Conservatives want it reduced
00:40and the Progress Party of Sylvie Lisztag, which calls for lower taxes
00:44and more immigration controls, wants it scrapped.
00:47The Progress Party is expected to outperform the Conservatives,
00:51who are led by former Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
00:54Official results are expected to be announced on Tuesday
00:58and they are likely to be followed by weeks of negotiations to build a coalition
01:02and agree on cabinet positions before King Harald can swear in the new government.
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