Norwegian split over northern oil production
The Norwegian Labour Party, senior partner in the ruling government coalition, is split over whether to open up for oil exploration in the vulnerable Lofoten waters outside northern Norway.
While the partys spokesman on energy issues calls for exploration drilling from year 2011, the youth branch of the party is strongly against the oil activities. In the background lures energy major StatoilHydro with its demand for a quick opening of the perspective areas. Leader of the youth labour movement, Mr. Martin Henriksen, says the oil and gas exploration will be a major issue at the upcoming party conference. He fears that the issue could strain relations within the government coalition of the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party. Also regional politicians in northern Norway express scepticism with the oil plans in Lofoten. Deputy leader in the Troms county party branch, Ms. Kari-Anne Opsal, says there will be no point in opening the areas for the oil industry unless the region itself benefits from the development. She also fears that the coming of the oil industry will hamper fishing in the area.
