Norway’s Labour and Progress parties announce surprise agreement on off-road traffic law

Norway’s Labour Party and the opposition Progress Party have called an emergency press conference Tuesday evening to unveil a rare agreement on a contested overhaul of the country’s off-road traffic law, Dagbladet reports.

The briefing, set for 9 p.m. in the Storting’s wandering hall, will outline a joint proposal to replace the 1977 motor traffic law—a reform that has stalled for decades despite repeated attempts. Four lawmakers, two from each party, will present the deal, though party leaders including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Progress leader Sylvi Listhaug will not attend.

The government’s March proposal, which forms the basis of the agreement, would grant municipalities greater authority and simplify enforcement, particularly for snowmobile use and cabin access. Current regulations, last updated nearly 50 years ago, have long been criticized as outdated for modern recreational and transport needs.