Anders Behring Breivik får allt fler sympatisörer

Did the Breivik Massacre Change Norwegian Politics?

By Anna Reimann in Oslo and Utøya

After last July's massacre in Oslo and on Utøya island, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg helped his people cope with unimaginable loss. The country wanted to demonstrate the power of democracy and tolerance. But one year later, the cracks are beginning to show in this image.

During the last year, Norway has impressed the world. Not only with its dignified way of mourning, but also because of the country's clear recognition of democracy and for the graceful way its people handled Breivik's trial and his outbursts in court. Recent polls even indicate that the Norwegians' faith in democracy has grown during the past year.

Even so, in recent weeks, cracks have also appeared in the image of a tolerant and humane Norway. What place does Breivik, a Norwegian, have in this Norway? Has the country, in which one-fifth of voters casted their ballots for the right-wing populist Progress Party (FrP), changed politically?

Prior to his radicalization, Breivik had been a member for a time in FrP's youth organization. But the party has recently seen its fortunes rise again. One poll shows the party with more than 22 percent support among voters -- nearly twice FrP's showing in local elections held just weeks after the attacks.

Another issue is also currently dominating the headlines in Norwegian newspapers. It took a long time for them to find their place here, but as in Germany and other parts of Europe, the Roma have finally arrived in Oslo. This has sparked hateful tirades on Norwegian Internet forums, where the Roma are disparaged and death threats are made. Local residents have also been hostile to the nomadic groups, who mostly originate from Romania. FrP chief Jensen has been calling for the Roma to be "deported."

The right-wing populist Progress Party (FrP) has recovered from the dip in popularity it experienced following Breivik's terror attacks. The "July 22 effect" has also passed for Stoltenberg's Labor Party, which has slumped back to its pre-Breivik popularity level.

Norwegians now support a change in government leadership. In late June polls, the head of the Conservative Party, Erna Solberg, was more popular than Stoltenberg for the first time.