There is considerable disagreement within the centre-right opposition in Norway about how many UN refugees the country should accept if Conservative leader Erna Solberg forms a government.

While the Progress Party (FrP) wants to reduce the number to zero, the Liberal Party is in favour of increasing it to 5,000, in line with UN recommendations, writes NRK.

The issue of quota refugees has become topical at a time when Norway has received a large number of Ukrainian refugees with collective protection. At the same time, the government has sharply cut the number of quota refugees from the UN in recent years.

The Liberal Party decided at its national convention to increase the number of quota refugees to 5,000, while FrP did not set aside funds for any quota refugees in its alternative budget. The Conservatives decided at their national convention to keep the number of quota refugees low, without specifying a concrete figure.

The Christian People’s Party (KrF), which is also a potential partner for the Conservatives, will discuss the issue of quota refugees at its national convention. There are proposals to accept 1,000, 3,000 or 5,000 quota refugees respectively.

There are also differing views within the Christian Democratic Party (KrF), where Oslo KrF wants a minimum of 1,000 quota refugees, while the party’s international committee and KrFU want to increase the number to 5,000.

This disagreement on refugee policy within the centre-right bloc could potentially create challenges if it becomes necessary to form a new government after the autumn elections.