Norway PM Stoltenberg's taxi passengers were paid for campaign video It has been revealed that several passengers who took a taxi ride in Oslo, only to discover the driver was Norway's prime minister Jens Stoltenberg, were paid to do so. Five of 14 passengers filmed by hidden cameras had been chosen at an improvised audition by an advertising agency. Each received 500 kroner (65 euros). Kjetil Try - the owner of the agency who is described as close to the prime minister - said ordinary people from diverse backgrounds were wanted and time was short. They were told only that they would be picked up in a taxi to take part in a Labour party video, said a spokeswoman for the party. Their surprise on discovering the prime minister's identity was "spontaneous" and their conversations with him genuine. Stoltenberg drove the taxi in June to test people's views ahead of elections due to take place on September 9. The video was a big internet hit - but the PM still trails badly in the polls. More about: Legislative election, Norway, Norway politics, Prime Minister