Dagfinn Høybråten
Encyclopedia
Dagfinn Høybråten is a Norwegian
politician and the former leader of the Christian Democratic Party. He was the director of the National Insurance Administration
from 1997 to 2004, but barely attended to the position because he was a government minister in Bondevik's First Cabinet from 1997 to 2000 and Bondevik's First Cabinet from 2001 to 2005. He is also a member of Parliament since 2005 and was party leader of the Christian Democratic Party between 2004 and 2011.
(1932–1990) and laboratory worker Åse Margrethe Hallen (born 1929). While he was born in Oslo
, he grew up in Nesodden
, and lived for three years in Sandnes
due to his father working there as a control veterinary. His father was politically active in the Christian Democratic Party, and was a deputy member of the Parliament of Norway. Høybråten received a cand.polit.
degree in political science
from the University of Oslo
in 1984. He is married to his wife Jorun, and as of 2009 has four children and two grand-children.
in 1979.
He led the Ministry of Health and Care Services
from 1997 to 2000 and again from 2001 to 2004. Following a 2004 Government reshuffle, Høybråten was transferred to lead the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
. In 2004, he also assumed the leadership of Christian Democratic Party.
As Minister of Health, Høybråten was noted for his campaign against tobacco smoking
at all public indoor places. It resulted in the adoption by Parliament of a bill banning smoking in restaurants, bars, and cafés. (It is still permitted to smoke in hotel rooms). Ireland
and California
had adopted similar laws. Sweden
imposed a similar law in 2005. Høybråtens efforts have been credited for reducing the smoking rates and improving public health in Norway. Initially, the bill sparked some controversy, however it became popular after it passed. Høybråten has noted his efforts in this field as something he is particularly proud of. Høybråten was critical of employers advertising positions for non-smokers, since his he felt the issue ought to be fighting tobacco and its adverse health effects, rather than discriminating against people who smoke.
Throughout 2004, he was accused by liberal
media such as Dagbladet
, of being a "mørkemann" (lit. "dark man"), meaning a Christian
with a hidden fundamentalist
agenda. When he became party leader, Christian conservatives like Finn Jarle Sæle, Kåre Kristiansen
and Gunnar Prestegård praised Høybråten for his conservative views. Dagbladet wrote that Høybråten opposes abortion
, even in cases of rape
. Responding to the articles, Høybråten distanced himself from claims that he was a fundamentalist. Høybråten said that although the Christian Democrats opposes abortion, that abortion after rape may be an emergency solution. He further noted that the Norwegian parliament was overwhelmingly pro-abortion rights, and the Christian Democrats could not refuse to take part in governance over this issue. On the Middle East conflict, Høybråten said that his view was the same as that of Kjell Magne Bondevik
.
Failing by a margin of 180 votes to win a seat in the Norwegian parliamentary election, 1989
, Høybråten did not hold a seat in the Parliament of Norway until elected in 2005
. Ahead of the 2005 election, Høybråten was nominated from Rogaland
instead of his home county of Akershus
. This was in order to avoid a nomination battle with the former party leader Valgerd Svarstad Haugland
. In 2009, he was re-elected as member of Parliament for Rogaland.
In 2007 Høybråten serves as the president of the Nordic Council
. In 2009 he expressed a desire to have a return of the centre in Norwegian politics as a government alternative again, hoping especially that the Centre Party
would make a return to the centre after its cooperation with the Red-Green Coalition for the last years. In 2010 it became clear that strong forces within the party wanted a change of leadership, following disappointingly poor election results, and the failure of the party to reestablish its popularity. On October 2, 2010 Høybråten announced that he would not run for reelection as party leader at the 2011 party conference. He also announced that he would not run for a third term as member of Parliament in the 2013 general election. Knut Arild Hareide
succeeded him from April 30, 2011.
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...
politician and the former leader of the Christian Democratic Party. He was the director of the National Insurance Administration
National Insurance Service
The National Insurance Service was a Norwegian Norwegian government agency responsible for social security.-Organization:It had its roots in the National Insurance Administration , which was founded by parliamentary act on 23 July 1894 under the name Rigsforsikringsanstalten...
from 1997 to 2004, but barely attended to the position because he was a government minister in Bondevik's First Cabinet from 1997 to 2000 and Bondevik's First Cabinet from 2001 to 2005. He is also a member of Parliament since 2005 and was party leader of the Christian Democratic Party between 2004 and 2011.
Early and personal life
Høybråten was born to churchwarden and politician Per HøybråtenPer Høybråten
Per Høybråten was a Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic Party.From 1963 to 1966 he was the chairman of the Youth of the Christian People's Party, the youth wing of the Christian Democratic Party. He served as a deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament from Oslo during the...
(1932–1990) and laboratory worker Åse Margrethe Hallen (born 1929). While he was born in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, he grew up in Nesodden
Nesodden
Nesodden is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Follo. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Nesoddtangen. The parish of Næsodden was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838...
, and lived for three years in Sandnes
Sandnes
is a city and municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is part of the region of Jæren.-History:Sandnes was separated from Høyland as a municipality of its own in 1860, and gained city status the same year...
due to his father working there as a control veterinary. His father was politically active in the Christian Democratic Party, and was a deputy member of the Parliament of Norway. Høybråten received a cand.polit.
Cand.polit.
Candidatus rerum politicarum , Candidata rerum politicarum , abbreviated cand.polit., is an academic degree within the fields of social sciences issued under the old education system in Denmark and Norway.-Denmark:...
degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
in 1984. He is married to his wife Jorun, and as of 2009 has four children and two grand-children.
Political career
Høybråten became active in politics at an early age, and became chairman of the Youth of the Christian People's PartyYouth of the Christian People's Party
The Young Christian Democrats is the youth league of Kristelig Folkeparti in Norway. The current leader of KrFU is Elisabeth Løland. They have approximately 2,000 members....
in 1979.
He led the Ministry of Health and Care Services
Minister of Health and Care Services (Norway)
The Norwegian Minister of Health and Care Services is the head of the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services. The position has existed since 1 January 2002, when the Ministry of Health was created...
from 1997 to 2000 and again from 2001 to 2004. Following a 2004 Government reshuffle, Høybråten was transferred to lead the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion (Norway)
The Norwegian Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion is the head of the Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion. The position has existed since 1 January 1846, when the Ministry of the Interior was created...
. In 2004, he also assumed the leadership of Christian Democratic Party.
As Minister of Health, Høybråten was noted for his campaign against tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
at all public indoor places. It resulted in the adoption by Parliament of a bill banning smoking in restaurants, bars, and cafés. (It is still permitted to smoke in hotel rooms). Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
had adopted similar laws. Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
imposed a similar law in 2005. Høybråtens efforts have been credited for reducing the smoking rates and improving public health in Norway. Initially, the bill sparked some controversy, however it became popular after it passed. Høybråten has noted his efforts in this field as something he is particularly proud of. Høybråten was critical of employers advertising positions for non-smokers, since his he felt the issue ought to be fighting tobacco and its adverse health effects, rather than discriminating against people who smoke.
Throughout 2004, he was accused by liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
media such as Dagbladet
Dagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
, of being a "mørkemann" (lit. "dark man"), meaning a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
with a hidden fundamentalist
Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is strict adherence to specific theological doctrines usually understood as a reaction against Modernist theology. The term "fundamentalism" was originally coined by its supporters to describe a specific package of theological beliefs that developed into a movement within the...
agenda. When he became party leader, Christian conservatives like Finn Jarle Sæle, Kåre Kristiansen
Kåre Kristiansen
Kåre Gudbrand Kristiansen was a Norwegian politician active in the Christian People's Party. Noted as a conservative within his own party, he was known to take controversial positions at odds with the prevailing consensus.Kristiansen was born in Bergen, the son of a lay preacher. Both his parents...
and Gunnar Prestegård praised Høybråten for his conservative views. Dagbladet wrote that Høybråten opposes abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, even in cases of rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
. Responding to the articles, Høybråten distanced himself from claims that he was a fundamentalist. Høybråten said that although the Christian Democrats opposes abortion, that abortion after rape may be an emergency solution. He further noted that the Norwegian parliament was overwhelmingly pro-abortion rights, and the Christian Democrats could not refuse to take part in governance over this issue. On the Middle East conflict, Høybråten said that his view was the same as that of Kjell Magne Bondevik
Kjell Magne Bondevik
Kjell Magne Bondevik is a Norwegian Lutheran minister and politician . He served as Prime Minister of Norway from 1997 to 2000, and from 2001 to 2005, making him Norway's longest serving non-Labour Party Prime Minister since World War II...
.
Failing by a margin of 180 votes to win a seat in the Norwegian parliamentary election, 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....
, Høybråten did not hold a seat in the Parliament of Norway until elected in 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....
. Ahead of the 2005 election, Høybråten was nominated from Rogaland
Rogaland
is a county in Western Norway, bordering Hordaland, Telemark, Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. It is the center of the Norwegian petroleum industry, and as a result of this, Rogaland has the lowest unemployment rate of any county in Norway, 1.1%...
instead of his home county of Akershus
Akershus
- Geography :The county is conventionally divided into the traditional districts Follo and Romerike, which fill the vast part of the county, as well as the small exclave west of Oslo that consists of Asker and Bærum...
. This was in order to avoid a nomination battle with the former party leader Valgerd Svarstad Haugland
Valgerd Svarstad Haugland
Valgerd Svarstad Haugland is a former Minister of Culture and Church Affairs and former leader of the Christian Democratic Party in Norway between 1995 and 2004, to which also former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik belongs....
. In 2009, he was re-elected as member of Parliament for Rogaland.
In 2007 Høybråten serves as the president of the Nordic Council
Nordic Council
The Nordic Council is a geo-political, inter-parliamentary forum for co-operation between the Nordic countries. It was established following World War II and its first concrete result was the introduction in 1952 of a common labour market and free movement across borders without passports for the...
. In 2009 he expressed a desire to have a return of the centre in Norwegian politics as a government alternative again, hoping especially that the Centre Party
Centre Party (Norway)
The Centre Party is a centrist and agrarian political party in Norway, founded in 1920. The Centre Party's policy is not based on any of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th century, but has a focus on maintaining decentralised economic development and political decision-making.From its...
would make a return to the centre after its cooperation with the Red-Green Coalition for the last years. In 2010 it became clear that strong forces within the party wanted a change of leadership, following disappointingly poor election results, and the failure of the party to reestablish its popularity. On October 2, 2010 Høybråten announced that he would not run for reelection as party leader at the 2011 party conference. He also announced that he would not run for a third term as member of Parliament in the 2013 general election. Knut Arild Hareide
Knut Arild Hareide
Knut Arild Hareide is a Norwegian businessperson and the leader of the Christian Democratic Party. Hareide served as Minister of the Environment from 2004 to 2005...
succeeded him from April 30, 2011.