The Norwegian Peace Council (Norges Fredsråd) has cancelled Oslo’s traditional torchlight procession for the Nobel Peace Prize on 10 December 2025, saying this year’s laureate, María Corina Machado, does not align with its values after a consultation with its 17 member organisations.
Why the council is breaking with tradition
The Council said the decision followed a “thorough hearing process” among its members. According to chair Eline H. Lorentzen, some of Machado’s methods are viewed as inconsistent with principles that emphasise dialogue and non‑violence.
As an umbrella body with a long record in Norwegian peace work, the Council argued that its events must reflect those core values.
A rare boycott of Oslo’s torchlight parade
The torchlight parade is a long‑standing civic celebration in Oslo, concluding in front of the Grand Hotel where the laureates traditionally greet the crowd. The Norwegian Peace Council has been the organiser in recent years.
Public cancellations are unusual; a prior instance occurred in 2012, when the European Union received the prize and the parade did not go ahead under the Council’s banner.
What will happen on 10 December in Oslo
The Norwegian Nobel Institute (Det Norske Nobelinstitutt) expects a torchlight procession to take place regardless of the Council’s stance, as part of the week‑long Oslo Peace Days programme.
A Venezuelan diaspora group in Norway has said it is prepared to assume organisational responsibility, meaning a public parade is still likely on the evening of the ceremony. Whether Machado can attend in person remains unclear due to security considerations.
Machado’s Nobel and the political backdrop
On 10 October 2025, the Norwegian Nobel Committee (Den norske Nobelkomité) awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to María Corina Machado for her efforts to promote democratic rights and a peaceful transition in Venezuela. The choice drew both praise and criticism.
Supporters argue the award spotlights ongoing repression under President Nicolás Maduro. Critics within Nordic peace circles question Machado’s perceived proximity to hard‑line strategies backed by the current USA administration, and argue that the prize should encourage leadership grounded in non‑violent resistance.
Nordic echoes and debate on non‑violence
Beyond Norway, the decision resonated with Nordic pacifist networks. Danish peace advocates voiced support for the Council’s move, invoking historical models of non‑violent leadership such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. The debate revives a recurrent question in the Nordic public sphere: how to recognise courageous opposition to authoritarian regimes while upholding a strict non‑violence standard for peace honours.
What to watch next
The cancellation signals a values‑based rift around this year’s prize but is unlikely to halt the public celebration in Oslo. In the weeks ahead, attention will focus on the parade’s final organisers, security arrangements, and whether the controversy spills into the Oslo Peace Days agenda.
