Norway's PM Kjell Magne Bondevik has admitted the defeat of his centre-right government in parliamentary elections. His admission came after most of the votes had been counted, giving the centre-left opposition a majority in the 169-parliament, the Storting. The bloc led by Labour Party is set to get 88 seats, while Bondevik's coalition is trailing with 81 seats, the BBC reported. Labour has vowed to spend more on welfare benefits using oil revenues. Bondevik had called for tax cuts. "Politically I am disappointed that (the coalition government) has not been allowed to continue," Bondevik said after 96% of the votes had been counted. He told state television he would inform King Harald V of his government's intent to resign on Tuesday, pending the final election result. Bondevik's coalition has overseen major economic reforms in the oil-rich country over the past four years, including tax cuts. Labour leader Jens Stoltenberg has accused the government of favouring the rich while neglecting the welfare state.
