Christian Democratic Party (Norway)

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Kristelig Folkeparti / Kristeleg Folkeparti
Christian Democratic Party
Leader Dagfinn Høybråten
Founded 1933
Headquarters Oslo
Youth wing Kristelig Folkepartis Ungdom
Political ideology Christian democracy
Website KrF
See also the politics of Norway series

The Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti or Kristeleg Folkeparti, KrF), is a Christian Democratic Norwegian political party founded in 1933. The Norwegian name literally translates to Christian People's Party. The name may also be translated as "The People's Christian Party", thus not excluding non-Christian voters.

The party leader is Dagfinn Høybråten. Their leader from 1983 to 1995, Kjell Magne Bondevik, was one of the most prominent political figures in modern Norway, serving as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2000 and 2001 to 2005.

KrF follow their European counterparts in many ways, arguing that the state should care for its citizens but not get otherwise economically involved. In the late 1990s they positioned themselves as a family-friendly party. KrF have conservative opinions, arguing against both gay adoption and the prevalent abortion rate in Norway. They also want to ban research on human fetuses, and have made the biotechnology laws in Norway into some of the strictest in the world.

The party is an observer member of the European People's Party (EPP).

Contents

[edit] History

KrF was founded as a reaction to the growing secularism in Norway in the 1930's. Cultural and spiritual values were proposed as an alternative to political parties focusing on material values. The immediate cause of its foundation was the failure of Nils Lavik, a popular figure in the religious community, to be nominated as a candidate for Venstre (the liberal party), for the parliamentary elections in 1933. In reaction to this, Kristelig Folkeparti was set up, with Lavik as their top candidate in the county of Hordaland. He succeeded in being elected to Stortinget, the Norwegian parliament. No other counties were contested. At the next elections, in 1936, the party also ran in Bergen, and succeeded in electing a representative from there as well. In 1945, at the first elections after the Nazi occupation of Norway, the party was organised on a nationwide basis, and won 8 seats.

KrF became part of a short-lived non-socialist coalition government along with Høyre (Conservatives), Venstre and Senterpartiet (Center Party) in 1963. At the elections of 1965, these four parties won a majority of seats in Stortinget and ruled in a coalition government from 1965 to 1971.

KrF opposed Norwegian membership in the European Community ahead of the referendum in 1972. The referendum gave a no-vote, and when the pro-EC Labour government resigned, a coalition government was formed among the anti-EC parties, KrF, Venstre and Senterpartiet. Lars Korvald became KrF's first prime minister for a year, until the elections of 1973 restored the Labour government.

From 1983 to 1986, and from 1989 to 1990 KrF was part of coalitions with Høyre and Senterpartiet.

In 1997 KrF received 13.7% of the votes, and got 25 seats in the Storting. Kjell Magne Bondevik served as prime minister in 1997-2000, in coalition with Venstre and Senterpartiet, and then in 2001-2005 with Venstre and Høyre.

In the 2005 election KrF received only 6.8%, and the party became part of the opposition in the Storting.

[edit] Table of parliamentary election results

Support for KrF in the counties of Norway at the Norwegian parliamentary elections of 2005.
Support for KrF in the counties of Norway at the Norwegian parliamentary elections of 2005.
Year Percentage of votes Members of Stortinget elected
1933 0.8% 1
1936 1.3% 2
1945 7.9% 8
1949 8.5%¹ 9
1953 10.5% 14
1957 10.2% 12
1961 9.6%¹ 15
1965 8.1%¹ 13
1969 9.4%¹ 14
1973 12.2%¹ 20
1977 12.4%¹ 22
1981 9.4%¹ 15
1985 8.3% 16
1989 8.5% 14
1993 7.9% 13
1997 13.7% 25
2001 12.4% 22
2005 6.8% 11

¹KrF ran on mutual lists with other parties in some constituencies. This figure is an estimate by Statistics Norway.

[edit] List of party leaders

[edit] External links


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Parliamentary political parties in Norway
Parties in government:
Parties in opposition:
Progress (38) - Conservative (23) - Christian Democratic (11) - Liberal (10)
Portal:Politics - List of political parties - Politics of Norway