In early 1995 Folkvord announced that he would not be a candidate for parliament when his term was over. He later claimed the job was "exhausting and stressful". In an opinion poll, conducted in August 1997, Folkvords popularity in Oslo had declined while his popularity outside Oslo had increased. During the election the party used on Folkvord's re-election campaign, which was estimated to be around 70% of party's budget estimated to be around . On 12 September various opinion polls showed that Folkvords popularity had increased again in Oslo which gave rise to speculation that Folkvord would win Inger Lise Husøy's seat in parliament because of this sudden rise in popularity. When 99% of the vote in Oslo had been counted the party had managed to earn a disappointing 3.9%, losing its only seat.