Conservative Party of Norway
Encyclopedia
The Conservative Party is a Norwegian
political party. The current leader (since 2004) is Erna Solberg
. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party
in the late 1990s and 2000s. In 2005, the party achieved the worst election in its entire history, but has seen a strong surge in polls since the 2009 election.
The party regards itself as an opponent of socialism, and advocates economic liberalism
and reduction of taxes and public spending. It has historically been the most outspokenly pro-European Union
party in Norway, supporting Norwegian membership during both the 1972 and 1994 referendums. The party generally supports privatization
s and tougher law and order
measures.
Founded in 1884, the Conservative Party is the second oldest party in Norway, only after the Liberal Party. In the interwar era, one of the main goals for the party was to achieve a centre-right alliance against the growing labour movement
, when the party went into a decline. From 1950 to 2009, the party participated in six governments; two 1960s national governments
(Lyng's Cabinet and Borten's Cabinet), one 1980s Conservative Party minority government
(Willoch's First Cabinet), two 1980s three-party governments (Willoch's Second Cabinet and Syse's Cabinet), and finally the 2000s Bondevik's Second Cabinet.
as its first Chairman. Ever since its creation, Høyre has been one of the larger political parties in Norway. For many years, it was the largest non-socialist party in Norway and has taken part in many governments. It lost this distinction with a historically bad election in 2005, receiving only 14.1 percent of the vote, and failed again to take back the distinction in 2009. It is currently the third largest party in the Norwegian Parliament, Stortinget, after the Norwegian Labour Party
and the Progress Party
.
s and little government involvement in the economy
. Høyre is also the only party in the Storting which proposes a reduction in public spending. The party is often associated with wealth and is often attacked by the left for defending the country's richest. In contrast to the party's center-right economic orientation, Høyre's social policies are quite liberal, with the party's programme supporting liberal policies such as gay adoption rights and even gay marriage. It is also in favour of Norwegian membership
in the European Union.
(EPP) and full member of the International Democrat Union
(IDU).
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
political party. The current leader (since 2004) is Erna Solberg
Erna Solberg
Erna Solberg is a Norwegian politician, and current leader of the Conservative Party of Norway. She was the Municipal and Regional Minister in Kjell Magne Bondevik's second government, 19 October 2001 until 17 October 2005. In 2005, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of St. Olav.-Early...
. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party
Progress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
in the late 1990s and 2000s. In 2005, the party achieved the worst election in its entire history, but has seen a strong surge in polls since the 2009 election.
The party regards itself as an opponent of socialism, and advocates economic liberalism
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
and reduction of taxes and public spending. It has historically been the most outspokenly pro-European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
party in Norway, supporting Norwegian membership during both the 1972 and 1994 referendums. The party generally supports privatization
Privatization
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
s and tougher law and order
Law and order (politics)
In politics, law and order refers to demands for a strict criminal justice system, especially in relation to violent and property crime, through harsher criminal penalties...
measures.
Founded in 1884, the Conservative Party is the second oldest party in Norway, only after the Liberal Party. In the interwar era, one of the main goals for the party was to achieve a centre-right alliance against the growing labour movement
Labour movement
The term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
, when the party went into a decline. From 1950 to 2009, the party participated in six governments; two 1960s national governments
National unity government
A national unity government, government of national unity, or national union government is a broad coalition government consisting of all parties in the legislature, usually formed during a time of war or other national emergency.- Canada :During World War I the Conservative government of Sir...
(Lyng's Cabinet and Borten's Cabinet), one 1980s Conservative Party minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
(Willoch's First Cabinet), two 1980s three-party governments (Willoch's Second Cabinet and Syse's Cabinet), and finally the 2000s Bondevik's Second Cabinet.
History
The Conservative Party of Norway was founded in 1884 with Emil StangEmil Stang
Emil Stang was a Norwegian jurist and politician. He became Prime Minister of Norway and was the first chairman of the Conservative Party....
as its first Chairman. Ever since its creation, Høyre has been one of the larger political parties in Norway. For many years, it was the largest non-socialist party in Norway and has taken part in many governments. It lost this distinction with a historically bad election in 2005, receiving only 14.1 percent of the vote, and failed again to take back the distinction in 2009. It is currently the third largest party in the Norwegian Parliament, Stortinget, after the Norwegian Labour Party
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
and the Progress Party
Progress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
.
Ideology
The party is committed to fiscal free market policies, including tax cutTax cut
A tax cut is a reduction in taxes. The immediate effects of a tax cut are a decrease in the real income of the government and an increase in the real income of those whose tax rate has been lowered. Due to the perceived benefit in growing real incomes among tax payers politicians have sought to...
s and little government involvement in the economy
Economic system
An economic system is the combination of the various agencies, entities that provide the economic structure that defines the social community. These agencies are joined by lines of trade and exchange along which goods, money etc. are continuously flowing. An example of such a system for a closed...
. Høyre is also the only party in the Storting which proposes a reduction in public spending. The party is often associated with wealth and is often attacked by the left for defending the country's richest. In contrast to the party's center-right economic orientation, Høyre's social policies are quite liberal, with the party's programme supporting liberal policies such as gay adoption rights and even gay marriage. It is also in favour of Norwegian membership
Norway and the European Union
Norway is not a member state of the European Union , but is closely associated with the Union through its membership in the European Economic Area , in the context of being a European Free Trade Association member.-Trade:...
in the European Union.
Membership
The party has 25,000 registered members (2008). The Central Board of Høyre meets seven times a year to discuss important matters such as budget, organizational work, plans, party platforms, drawing up political lines.Parliamentary (Storting) elections 1906-2009
| Year | % of votes | seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1906 -Results:-References:**... |
32.7% | 35 |
| 1909 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1909 -Results: Liberal Left Party is part of coalition with Conservative Party-References:***... |
41.5% | 41 |
| 1912 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1912 -Results: Liberal Left Party is part of coalition with Conservative Party Labour Democrats is part of coalition with Liberal Party-References:**... |
32.6% | 20 |
| 1915 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1915 -Results: Liberal Left Party is part of coalition with Conservative Party-References:**... |
29% | 20 |
| 1918 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1918 -Results: Liberal Left Party is part of coalition with Conservative Party-References:**... |
30% | 40 |
| 1921 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1921 -Results:-References:*... |
33.4% | 42 |
| 1924 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1924 -Results:-References:*... |
32.5% | 54 |
| 1927 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1927 -Results:-References:*... |
24% | 30 |
| 1930 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1930 -Results:*... |
27.4% | 41 |
| 1933 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1933 -Results:- References :... |
20.2% | 30 |
| 1936 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1936 The parliamentary election of 1936 was the last one held in Norway before World War II and the German invasion of Norway.-Results:*... |
21.3% | 36 |
| 1945 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1945 These elections were held on 8 October 1945. The Labour Party won an absolute majority in the Storting which they would keep until 1961.-Results:... |
17% | 25 |
| 1949 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1949 The general election of 1949 was held to elect 150 MPs to the Storting. The Norwegian Labour Party increased its share of the vote an won a large majority of seats in the chamber.... |
17.8% | 23 |
| 1953 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1953 -Results:... |
18.8% | 27 |
| 1957 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1957 A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on 7 October 1957. The election was a victory for the Labour Party, and Gerhardsen's Third Cabinet could continue. The Labour party again achieved an absolute majority in parliament, together with the highest popular vote in the... |
18.9% | 29 |
| 1961 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1961 A general election was held to elect 150 MPs to the Norwegian parliament, the Storting.The Labour Party lost its absolute majority of seats that the party had held since 1945, winning 74 seats... |
19.3% | 29 |
| 1965 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1965 -Results:... |
20.3% | 31 |
| 1969 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1969 The 1969 election proved to be one of the closest ones in Norwegian history. The only leftist party to win seats, the Labour Party, got 74 seats, while the right-wing parties got 76 seats. When counting the results, people started worrying that the two sides would be evenly split with 75 seats... |
18.8% | 29 |
| 1973 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1973 -Results:¹A coalition of the Socialist People's Party , the Communist Party of Norway , and anti-European Economic Community individuals from the Labour Party. The coalition evolved into the Socialist Left Party in 1975.... |
17.2% | 29 |
| 1977 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1977 -Results:... |
24.5% | 41 |
| 1981 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1981 -Results:... |
31.8% | 53 |
| 1985 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1985 A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on 9 September 1985.-Results:... |
30.4% | 50 |
| 1989 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1989 A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on 11 September 1989.-Results:1 This list was a cooperation between the Norwegian Communist Party, Workers' Communist Party, Red Electoral Alliance and independent socialists.... |
22.2% | 37 |
| 1993 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1993 A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on 13 September 1993. The Labour Party won a plurality of seats, and Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland remained in office. The Centre Party was particularly successful, gaining 21 seats.... |
17.0% | 28 |
| 1997 Norwegian parliamentary election, 1997 A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on 15 September 1997. Before the election, Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland of the Labour Party, issued the 36.9 ultimatum declaring that the government would step down unless it gained 36.9% of the vote, the percentage gained... |
14.3% | 23 |
| 2001 Norwegian parliamentary election, 2001 A general election to the Storting, the parliament of Norway, was held on September 10, 2001. The Labour Party won a plurality of votes and seats, closely followed by the Conservative Party... |
21.2% | 38 |
| 2005 Norwegian parliamentary election, 2005 Parliamentary elections were held in Norway on 12 September 2005. More than 3.4 million Norwegians were eligible for vote for the Storting, the parliament of Norway. The new Storting has 169 members, an increase of four over the 2001 election.... |
14.1% | 23 |
| 2009 Norwegian parliamentary election, 2009 The 2009 parliamentary election was held in Norway on 14 September 2009. Elections in Norway are held on a Monday in September, usually the second or third Monday, as determined by the king. Early voting was possible between 10 August and 11 September 2009, while some municipalities held open... |
17.2% | 30 |
List of party chairmen and leaders
- Emil StangEmil StangEmil Stang was a Norwegian jurist and politician. He became Prime Minister of Norway and was the first chairman of the Conservative Party....
, 1884–1889 - Christian Homann SchweigaardChristian Homann SchweigaardChristian Homann Schweigaard was a Norwegian Supreme Court lawyer and politician . He was prime minister in "April the Ministry" in 1884...
, 1889–1891 - Emil StangEmil StangEmil Stang was a Norwegian jurist and politician. He became Prime Minister of Norway and was the first chairman of the Conservative Party....
, 1891–1893 - Christian Homann SchweigaardChristian Homann SchweigaardChristian Homann Schweigaard was a Norwegian Supreme Court lawyer and politician . He was prime minister in "April the Ministry" in 1884...
, 1893–1896 - Emil StangEmil StangEmil Stang was a Norwegian jurist and politician. He became Prime Minister of Norway and was the first chairman of the Conservative Party....
, 1896–1899 - Francis HagerupFrancis HagerupGeorge Francis Hagerup was a Norwegian lawyer, diplomat and politician for the Conservative Party. He was Prime Minister of Norway from 14 October 1895 to 17 February 1898 and from 22 October 1903 to 11 March 1905.Francis Hagerup grew up in Trondheim...
, 1899–1902 - Ole L. Skattebøl, 1902–1905
- Edm. HarbitzEdm. HarbitzEdmund Theobald Harbitz was a Norwegian lawyer and politician for the Conservative Party. He chaired the party from 1905 to 1908, and served as mayor of Oslo from 1899 to 1901.-Early life and career:...
, 1905–1907 - Fredrik StangFredrik StangFredrik Stang was the Norwegian Minister of Justice 1912–1913. He was chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee 1922–1940.-Personal life:He was born in Kristiania as the son of Emil Stang and his wife Adelaide Pauline Berg...
, 1907–1911 - Jens BratlieJens BratlieJens Kristian Meinich Bratlie was a Norwegian politician, representing the Conservative Party. He was born in Nordre Land. He was Prime Minister of Norway from 1912 to 1913.-References:* - Government.no...
, 1911–1919 - Otto Bahr HalvorsenOtto Bahr HalvorsenOtto Bahr Halvorsen was a Norwegian politician from the Conservative Party. He was Prime Minister of Norway from 1920 to 1921 and again in 1923 when he died in office....
, 1919–1923 - Ivar LykkeIvar LykkeIvar Lykke was a Norwegian politician from the Conservative Party. He was Prime Minister of Norway from 1926 to 1928.-References:...
, 1923–1926 - Carl Joachim HambroCarl Joachim Hambro (1885-1964)Carl Joachim "C. J." Hambro was a Norwegian journalist, author and leading politician representing the Conservative Party. A ten-term member of the Parliament of Norway, Hambro served as President of the Parliament for twenty of his thirty-eight years in the legislature...
, 1926–1934 - Johan H. Andresen, 1934–1937
- Ole Ludvig BærøeOle Ludvig BærøeOle Ludvig Bærøe was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party. Bærøe was Minister of Agriculture 1926-1928, as well as head of the Ministry of Education and Church Affairs 1927-1928. He was a headmaster by profession before entering the Lykke Government in 1926. Bærøe was leader of the...
, 1937–1940 - Arthur NordlieArthur NordlieArthur Henry Eugen Nordlie was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Oslo in 1928, and was re-elected on three occasions...
, 1945–1950 - Carl Joachim HambroCarl Joachim Hambro (1885-1964)Carl Joachim "C. J." Hambro was a Norwegian journalist, author and leading politician representing the Conservative Party. A ten-term member of the Parliament of Norway, Hambro served as President of the Parliament for twenty of his thirty-eight years in the legislature...
, 1950–1954 - Alv KjøsAlv KjøsAlv Kjøs was a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party.He was born in Løiten.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hedmark in 1937, and was re-elected on five occasions...
, 1954–1962 - Sjur LindebrækkeSjur LindebrækkeSjur Lindebrække was a Norwegian banker and Conservative Party of Norway politician. From 1940 he worked as assistant manager in Bergens Privatbank, and became bank manager in 1945, administrative director in 1959, and from 1969 he was working chairman...
, 1962–1970 - Kåre WillochKåre WillochKåre Isaachsen Willoch is a Norwegian politician from the Conservative Party. He served as Minister of Trade and Shipping in 1963 and 1965–1970, and as Prime Minister of Norway from 1981 to 1986...
, 1970–1974 - Erling NorvikErling NorvikErling Norvik was a Norwegian politician from the Conservative Party.Norvik was born in Vadsø, the son of Erling Johannes Norvik, who served in the Norwegian parliament from 1949 to 1961...
, 1974–1980 - Jo BenkowJo BenkowJo Benkow is a Norwegian politician and writer, notable for being an important person in the Conservative Party of Norway, and the President of the Parliament 1985-1993....
, 1980–1984 - Erling NorvikErling NorvikErling Norvik was a Norwegian politician from the Conservative Party.Norvik was born in Vadsø, the son of Erling Johannes Norvik, who served in the Norwegian parliament from 1949 to 1961...
, 1984–1986 - Rolf PresthusRolf PresthusRolf Presthus was a Norwegian politician, who was chairman of the Conservative Party of Norway 1986-1988.Presthus was also Minister of Finance 1981-1986, and Minister of Defence in 1986....
, 1986–1988 - Kaci Kullmann FiveKaci Kullmann FiveKarin Cecilie Kullmann Five is a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party, and a business professional. She was born Karin Cecilie Kullmann in Bærum and was educated in law, French language and political science at University of Oslo in 1981...
, 1988 - Jan P. SyseJan P. Sysewas a lawyer and Norwegian politician from the Conservative Party. He was Prime Minister of Norway from 1989 to 1990. He also served as Minister of Industry from 1983 to 1985...
, 1988–1991 - Kaci Kullmann FiveKaci Kullmann FiveKarin Cecilie Kullmann Five is a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party, and a business professional. She was born Karin Cecilie Kullmann in Bærum and was educated in law, French language and political science at University of Oslo in 1981...
, 1991–1994 - Jan PetersenJan PetersenJan Petersen is a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Akershus in 1981, and was re-elected on six occasions. He had previously served as a deputy representative during the term 1973–1977. From 2001 to 2005, when the second cabinet...
, 1994–2004 - Erna SolbergErna SolbergErna Solberg is a Norwegian politician, and current leader of the Conservative Party of Norway. She was the Municipal and Regional Minister in Kjell Magne Bondevik's second government, 19 October 2001 until 17 October 2005. In 2005, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of St. Olav.-Early...
, 2004-
Internationally
Høyre is an associated member of the European People's PartyEuropean People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
(EPP) and full member of the International Democrat Union
International Democrat Union
The International Democrat Union, abbreviated to IDU, is a centre-right international alliance of conservative and liberal-conservative political parties. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, the IDU comprises 45 full or associate members...
(IDU).