The Norwegian government collapsed

Norway's coalition government has collapsed due to a dispute over EU energy policies. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's Labour Party sought to implement three EU energy directives, leading to the departure of the Eurosceptic Centre Party from the coalition. Centre Party leader and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum emphasized the need to retain national control over energy matters. This exit leaves the Labour Party governing alone until the scheduled elections on September 8. Norway, though not an EU member, adopts many EU laws through its European Economic Area membership. The directives in question pertain to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and building energy performance.