Nordic Prime Ministers Annual Meeting in Vestmannaeyjar on June 26, 2023
Nordic Prime Ministers Annual Meeting in Vestmannaeyjar on June 26, 2023
IMAGO / Lehtikuva

Northern Exposure

Politics and Change in the Nordic Countries

The Nordic countries have, for decades, been characterised by a strong welfare state and strong unions, creating more equal societies with low levels of poverty and exclusion, high levels of gender equality and employment, and some of the highest standards of living seen.

Nonetheless, the “Nordic model” has long been under stress. The region is not immune from the broader dynamics, trends and challenges of liberal democracies: the rise of the far right and right-wing populism, the neoliberal push for austerity and privatisation, the erosion of the gains of feminism, the so-called refugee crisis and the rise of racist discourse associated with it, and the struggle to combat climate change.

The political traditions, landscapes, and contexts for the emergence and success of political parties and movements across the Nordic region differ substantially, including very different economic profiles, and varying approaches to the European Union and EU integration.

This section provides political analysis on the situation and development of the left in the Nordic region, its challenges, and opportunities.

more on this topic

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Resistance and Resilience in Sápmi

Gabriel Kuhn
Northern ExposureSocial-ecological transformation
The Sámi, spread out over the northern parts of the nation-state territories of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, are the only indigenous people recognised within the European Union. A young generation of Sámi activists is currently at the forefront of social struggles in northern Europe, rejecting “green ... read more "Resistance and Resilience in Sápmi"
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Norway Election: Labour narrowly holds on to power amid uncertainty

Ellen Engelstad
Northern Exposure
Norway’s parliamentary election on Monday, September 8, 2025, was an incredibly close-run race. The left bloc, led by the Labour Party, secured a narrow victory. Labour will likely continue as a single-party minority government, seeking compromises and budget agreements with other left-wing... read more "Norway Election: Labour narrowly holds on to power amid uncertainty"
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”Socialism Is Not a Utopia — It’s Alive and Thriving”

Duroyan Fertl, Pelle Dragsted
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Denmark’s Far-Right has Splintered, but its Policies are now Mainstream

Redox Research Collective
Northern Exposure
Barely a decade ago, the far-right Dansk Folkeparti (“Danish People’s Party”) was polling as high as 25 percent nationwide, but today Denmark’s far-right parties are largely excluded from direct parliamentary influence. The right’s policies on migration and integration have ... read more "Denmark’s Far-Right has Splintered, but its Policies are now Mainstream"
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The Danish EU Presidency: disappointing and unambitious

Per Clausen
Northern ExposureEurope: ruin or renewalNewsletter
Per Clausen, Member of the European Parliament for Danish left-wing party Enhedslisten looks at the programme of Denmark’s EU-Presidency, which begins on July 1. What are the prospects, priorities and problems of the upcoming Presidency, and what does it mean for progressive policies in Europe and the ... read more "The Danish EU Presidency: disappointing and unambitious"
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30 years of Swedish EU-membership: From socialist outsider to frugal stalwart

Jonas Elvander
Northern Exposure
30 years of Swedish EU-membership: From socialist outsider to frugal stalwart As Sweden marks 30 years of European Union (EU) membership this year, a perplexing image emerges: a country which for large parts of the 20th century resisted membership in the Common Market is now ... read more "30 years of Swedish EU-membership: From socialist outsider to frugal stalwart"
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The Collapse of Finnish Right-Wing populism?

Robert Stark
Northern Exposure
Historic elections reveal deep public dissatisfaction with austerity, scandals, and a fading populist agenda. Local and regional elections on April 13 have delivered an historic defeat to Finland’s ruling right-wing populist party The Finns (Perussuomalaiset), which saw its support almost halved compared to ... read more "The Collapse of Finnish Right-Wing populism?"
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Sweden’s “Green Transition”: Opportunities and Challenges

Arne Müller
Northern ExposureSocial-ecological transformation
In northern Sweden, the rapid expansion of green industries is transforming the region—but at what cost? As billions are invested in new mines, battery factories, and wind farms—investments are expected to reach 1,400 billion SEK (€120 billion) by 2040—local communities are caught between... read more "Sweden’s “Green Transition”: Opportunities and Challenges"
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