78 Norwegian mayors sign petition demanding return of diesel tax relief

A cross-party movement of Norwegian mayors has gathered 78 signatures demanding that the temporary diesel tax reduction be reinstated. The drive began in Osterøy when Centre Party mayor Lars Fjeldstad issued the call, and it now counts 56 Centre Party mayors, ten from the Progress Party, six Christian Democrats, four local-list mayors, plus one each from the Red and Conservative parties. Red mayor Charlotte Therkelsen urged the red-green coalition to assume responsibility for easing the fuel cost burden, while Conservative mayor Terje Rogde stressed the urgency for a crisis solution in the north.

Rogde also signed a separate letter from 65 Conservative local chapters protesting the decision not to extend the tax cut. Both sides argue that the previous March-September reduction helped businesses and coastal communities, and they press the government to devise lasting mechanisms to curb volatile fuel prices.