Social Democrats expected to beat conservatives in Norway elections

Norwegians head to the polls on Monday to vote for a new parliament, in what is likely to lead to a change of government after eight years under conservative Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

Polling suggests that the social democratic Labour Party could see a surge in support, meaning leader Jonas Gahr Store could replace Solberg.

A change to the left and away from the conservatives would give Norway a government more in line with its Scandinavian neighbours Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

Some 3.9 million people are eligible to vote.

Monday is the official vote day, but polling stations were opened on Sunday, too, in almost half of all the towns nationwide.

Citizens were also able to vote even earlier than Sunday, an option taken up by some 1.65 million Norwegians, or more than 42 per cent of all eligible voters.