This would seem to be a rather crafty move for a politician seeking re-election. Stoltenberg's centre-left Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) are favored, but have been in power since 2005. The video has gone viral on YouTube.

via BBC News

Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg spent an afternoon working incognito as a taxi driver in Oslo, he has revealed.

Mr Stoltenberg said he had wanted to hear from real Norwegian voters and that taxis were one of the few places where people shared their true views.

He wore sunglasses and an Oslo taxi driver's uniform for the shift in June, only revealing his identity once he was recognised by his passengers.

His exchanges with his passengers were captured on a hidden camera.

The footage - made in collaboration with an advertising company - has been posted on the prime minister's Facebook page and made into a film which will be used as part of his campaign for re-election in September.

"It is important for me to hear what people really think," he told Norwegian media.

"And if there is one place people really say what they think about most things, it's in the taxi."

UPDATE: Apparently 5 of the 14 passengers were paid for this too-good-to-be-true video that will be turned into a campaign ad.

Translated from Norwegian, via Norsk Politikk:

But five of the total of 14 passengers knew in advance that they would be involved in a stunt related the Labour Party's election campaign. was confirmed by the Head of the Party, Pia Gulbrandsen, to VG. The five were recruited via so-called "street casting": - It means that they have been asked on the street if they would like to be in a movie for the Labour Party, and that they would be picked up in the taxi. Common to all passengers that they had no idea they would be picked up by the Prime Minister.