Norway’s parliamentary election season is in full swing. Voters will go to the polls on Monday, September, 8th, 2025 to elect representatives to the Norwegian Parliament – the Storting.
But how do international residents living here experience it? And, more specifically, how does it feel for those casting their vote for the very first time in their adopted country?
Four foreign voters share their perspectives on democracy, identity, and the political issues that matter most to them in Norway.
READ ALSO: Who's who in Norway's 2025 election race?
'A vote that actually matters'
For Anne Alavi, 49 years old, a Global Finance Advisor at an international NGO, the heart of her vote lies in protecting Norway’s welfare system.
“For me, the most important thing in this election is making sure Norway continues to be a country where people are taken care of. I’m especially focused on reducing inequality and keeping the welfare system strong - things like access to healthcare, education, and support services really matter," she said.
Anne drew a parallel between her home country, the US and Norway.
“I’ve seen how increasing privatisation can make it harder for people to access basic services and can really deepen inequality.
In Norway, I’ve noticed that some parties are leaning towards a similar approach - like tax cuts and reduced public spending - but I don’t think it’s always clear who those policies actually benefit. I’d like to see more open discussion about the long-term impact of these choices, and I think parties that support a strong welfare system could do more to explain why that matters - not just for vulnerable groups, but for society as a whole," she said.
The experience of voting in Norway feels very different to her, although in a good way.
“Back in the US, it was always this back-and-forth between two big parties, and a lot of voices got lost. Here, with a parliamentary system, there’s more room for different perspectives and priorities to be represented. I really appreciate that," she said.
"It makes me feel like my vote can actually help shape the direction of things, not just pick between two bad options. Being part of that kind of system, especially as someone who’s moved here and made Norway home, feels meaningful.”
'I've never cared about Norwegian politics before'
For Egyptian-born Ahmed Abdelkarim, a 37-year-old, senior business developer at Too Good To Go, this year marks a historic moment: he will be voting for the first time in his life.
“This was the first time I have voted in my entire life,” Ahmed said. “I lived through dictatorship and experienced multiple protests, including in 2013 when I was shot, but I have never had the opportunity to vote.”
When he first moved to Norway from Egypt in 2016, politics here felt distant.
“As a pragmatic immigrant, I’ve never cared about Norwegian politics before because Norwegians live in this bubble where they mainly care about taxes and climate problems. For me, those issues didn’t feel so urgent,” he said.
But that changed with the rise of the far right. “It’s alarmingly dangerous. The blood of the people comes first and any other matter or agenda comes second.”
Ahmed actively raises his concerns about right-wing politics in Norway and encourages people around him to support parties such as SV, MDG, and Rødt for their pro-Palestine stance.
“I do my best to discuss foreign policies. This is the time to boycott those who don’t care about Norway sending weapons to Israel," he said. "Since last October, there has been more awareness in the country. A movement has started: I am a different person, and Norwegians are addressing the genocide and rethinking their priorities. Politics is very much about the past and the future.”
'Voting with solidarity'
For Adam Scheuring, 40 years old, engineer and tech founder, this election has double significance.
“This is not only my first election as a Norwegian citizen."
Originally from Hungary, he sees his vote as a tool of solidarity.
“First and foremost, I think it’s very important to vote with solidarity: to upkeep and enforce international law and human rights, to stop the rise of fascist ideologies and pursue radical climate politics that not only gives us a shot at a liveable future on our planet but saves our economy too via a well managed transition," he said.
"This is what I'm voting for in this election.”
Adam isn’t particularly fond of party politics, but he sees value in principled positions. “I think Norway's Green Party (MDG) embodies most of these values and represents a principled standpoint, even though they’re not PR masterminds. Still, I believe in cooperation, and including more radical perspectives in broader coalitions can be a productive way to create effective policies.”
For him, the act of voting itself is deeply meaningful.
“Voting is one of the most important duties and responsibilities of being a citizen," he said.
"It means exercising my right and actively participating in deciding which direction our society should go. And it feels even more special in my adopted home.”
'Integration is a two-way street'
Ryan Elliot Gever, 36, a senior advisor at Statsbygg, who is also from the US, has taken his political engagement in Norway one step further. He has registered with a political party and joined his local branch.
“Norwegian politics are my politics, he said.
"My life, my community, and my ability to influence political discourse are primarily in Norway, not my country of birth. So it’s important to me to be an active participant here.”
For Ryan, the most urgent issues in Norway are climate and biodiversity risks, but he also stresses the importance of human rights, access to work, and housing for vulnerable groups.
“Transitioning to a sustainable society is about both planetary and social thresholds. All issues that affect this transition are important to me," he said.
Although he admits the system is not perfect, he values the diversity of voices. “I appreciate that we have parliamentary politics in Norway, which gives room to a multitude of ideas — both status-quo and more radical," he said.
"For me, it’s about finding the parties who can lead on the issues I care most about, and then contributing through them.”
Ryan also points out the challenges of integrating into a historically homogeneous country.
"The high English competency here can make it harder to prove that immigrants are also part of the same society. Voting and being politically active is one way to show that. Integration is a two-way street — it’s not enough to put all responsibilities on immigrants. Native Norwegians also need to welcome immigrants in and let them sit at the table," he said.
Election day is Monday, September, 8th, 2025. Every four years, Norway elects representatives to the Norwegian Parliament – the Storting.
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