Euan Purchase

Highly unusual for the leader of one Nordic country to be as openly critical towards other Nordic leaders.

Just an unhinged, if entirely unsurprising, response from Trump to not getting the Peace Prize (again)

The % of interest spent from the Norwegian Oil Fund in the national budget is the same as 10 years ago but the monetary value has almost doubled

Third time's the charm?

Share of electric vehicles among new passenger cars in Norway for September was 98.8%, a new record. Electric cars reaches 35.3% of total car population, ahead of diesel and petrol. The UK new car % for April was 40% plug in electric (26.2% of which were fully electric).

It would be nice if parties on the left could just, y'know, work together.

Ulf Kristersson has resigned as Swedish PM. Bringing an end to Sweden's historically most right-wing government. It was close though - 176 seats to 173.

Ulf Kristersson concedes defeat.

UPDATE – Sweden general election 90% probability that the Red-Greens win the election by one seat, SVT projects #val #riksdagsval #Sweden www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...

Once again asking why, in the year 2026, Scotland had an election for which every result was publicly "oooh, mystery box! secret! can't tell you what happened except at the overall constituency level!" and then most of our neighbours are just like "hello here's a livemap" www.svt.se/datajournali...

Almost half of Swedes have voted in advance of election day

Putin the big winner

Unless a dramatic swing happens, next Sunday’s election in Sweden looks almost certain to put Magdalena Andersson as PM. Which would mean Social Democrat led govts in 4 of 5 Nordics. A contrast to the prevailing political winds in Germany, France etc.

Iceland 🇮🇸 votes today in a pivotal referendum on whether to restart negotiations with the EU for membership. It's the first time Icelanders have voted on EU negotiations. Polls show a near 50-50 split, so impossible to predict. If Yes today, a 2nd referendum would follow the negotiations.

This is less about the EU's position and more about Norway's domestic politics.

Finland wants to restore its peatlands to help the environment. And to slow Russian tanks.

Record half-year return for the oil fund

"I was really struck by how much the Finnish education seemed to be focused on raising competent citizens, rather than teaching children academic subjects." Finland Tries to Protect Children Against Deepfakes, With Russia in Mind

65.9% no for EU membership in new poll in Norway

Italy suspending Schengen is just virtue signalling. Kinda ironic.

A real catastrophe in Drammen yesterday that demonstrates the climate crisis is here now, not something in the far away future. Over 100 homes destroyed and many hundreds of people evacuated. This isn’t California, it’s Norway.

Economist Intelligence Unit's Most Liveable Cities for 2026: 1. Copenhagen (for second year in a row) 2. Vienna 3. Melbourne 4. Sydney 5. Zurich 6. Geneva 7. Osaka 8. Adelaide 9. Vancouver 10. Tokyo

The obvious question here is, who can you hit by locating nukes in Finland who you couldn’t already hit? What capability does it add to Finland’s already strong defence? I’m no expert, but my guess answer to both is probably ‘not much’.

I'm quite happy to fully endorse each of Allan's calls for reform here. Each of them would significantly improve the quality of Scottish democracy and the manner in which our elections are reported.

The new Danish government on regulating big tech: Denmark will lead in EU on tougher tech regulation including 1️⃣ a ban on additive designs, 2️⃣ an age limit for social media, and 3️⃣ increased taxes for tech companies operating on the European market.

Denmark has a new government, but before the programme is announced, how much do we know? On mobility, one thing is clear: Public transport will be free for young persons (under 22), just like in Scotland. A new report on the effects of the Scottish scheme indicates substantial gains for society.

Contrary to what the headline says, the problem isn't the Reindeer

👇 Excellent thread on new Danish govt, finally formed after 69 days of negotiations. From progressive & climate standpoint, this is potentially a pretty exciting coalition - albeit with questions over it holding the full term. Frederiksen remains arguably most influential politician in Europe.

Reform UK wants to shut this down. If it did so, it would throw a million people out of work. Why? because it is beholden to the fossil fuel industry. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

52 under-15s in court for murder/attempted murder in 2025 - Sweden's gang emergency summed up

And #Denmark *finally* has a new government: The Social Democrats (S&D), Socialist People's Party (Greens/EFA), social-liberal Radikale Venstre (RE), & "centrist" Moderates (RE) will form a minority government, relying on support from left-wing parties Enhedslisten (LEFT) & The Alternative. #dkpol

69 days after the Danish election, negotiations have finally reached a new government... Mette Fredriksen remains Prime Minister in a coalition consisting of the Soc Dems, SF, Moderates and Radikale Venstre

The Government Pension Fund Global (aka the Norwegian Oil Fund) is 30 years old today - with over $2 Trillion in assets, equivalent to nearly $400k for every Norwegian citizen

"Brexit should be an example of how not to run a campaign... Nothing of what they promised has actually been activated or realised” - Iceland's foreign minister