Two municipalities in Norway’s iconic Lofoten archipelago are moving ahead with plans to merge, and their mayors have suggested naming the new entity simply Lofoten Municipality. The proposal by Vestvågøy and Moskenes aims to strengthen regional identity and branding.
Branding and identity
According to Jonny Finstad, Mayor of Vestvågøy (H), there are “several reasons” behind choosing the name. “It’s about branding and a name for the future,” he told Norwegian media. His counterpart in Moskenes, Hanna Sverdrup (H), also backs the proposal, noting it was the most popular option in a recent residents’ survey.
Finstad hopes the name will gain approval both in local councils and from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (Kommunal- og distriktsdepartementet).
Residents show strong support
A recent survey by NIVI Analyse AS, conducted on behalf of the two municipalities, shows over 60% of residents in both Moskenes and Vestvågøy support the merger. The study included responses from 130 people in Moskenes and 400 in Vestvågøy.
“It is inspiring to see our residents so positive and forward-looking. This is a striking result,” Finstad said in a press release, adding that it confirms the municipalities “are not on the wrong track.”
Sverdrup emphasized that such clear support is “a strong signal that a merger is the right way forward.”
Economic incentives and previous disputes
The move is partly driven by economic concerns. Moskenes has struggled financially and has been listed for 12 years on Norway’s Robek register for financially distressed municipalities. The Ministry has promised to cancel Moskenes’ debt of 160 million NOK (approx. €13.4 million) if it merges with another municipality.
Meanwhile, there is historical precedent for controversy over such naming decisions in Norway. In 2017 and 2018, the counties of Sogn og Fjordane and Hordaland faced backlash for trying to name their merged region after the entire geographical area, ultimately settling on “Vestland” after parliamentary debate.
If approved, “Lofoten Municipality” could become a first step toward broader regional consolidation under a unified name.
