This fall’s general election saw large gains for the Norwegian left. After eight years of conservative rule, 100 of 169 seats in the parliament created by the September 13 vote went to the array of center-left forces. Meanwhile, both of the parties supporting the previous government — the Conservatives and the far-right Progress party — each lost seats, thereby creating the most left-wing parliament since just after World War II.

Still, the new government is not so radical, consisting of the social-democratic Labor Party and the agrarian-populist, economically moderate Centre Party. The two radical-left forces — the Socialist Left and Red Parties — both made electoral gains, but haven’t joined the new administration. Yet, if the government is to secure a parliamentary majority for its legislation — and a budget due to be decided next week — it will rely on the support of the Socialist Left. This new strategic situation has the potential to produce real social change and climate action, if we can force the government to cooperate.