NORWAY'S LABOR PARTY SUFFERS HEAVY LOSS IN ELECTION

Norway's ruling Labor Party has suffered its worst electoral setback since 1945 but looks likely to stay in power. Many Norwegian newspapers said yesterday there was no credible alternative to Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, who has headed a minority Labor government since 1986. Monday's election marked the biggest political shakeup in the country's postwar history, which Labor has dominated.

Voters shunned the traditional consensus-style parties that have built an affluent welfare state in favor of more radical solutions.