Norway leader goes undercover as taxi driver

STOCKHOLM — Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg dressed up as a taxi driver and took passengers around Oslo in an unusual election campaign stunt.

A video that his Labor Party posted on social media yesterday shows the candid camera-like moments when the passengers realize the man behind the wheel is Stoltenberg.

The prime minister says the point was to find out "what people really think. And if there's one place where people really say what they think about most things it's in the taxi."

Labor Party spokeswoman Pia Gulbrandsen said an advertising firm helped set up the stunt. She said most of the passengers hailed Stoltenberg's cab while others "were told that they would be picked up" but not by whom.

Norway's parliamentary election is set for Sept. 9.