Radical People's Party (Norway)

Radical People's Party (in Norwegian: Radikale Folkeparti) was a non-socialist political party in Norway, active from 1900 to 1936, targeting workers and smallholders. Originally founded as the United Norwegian Workers' Association (De forenede norske Arbeidersamfund, DFNA), it changed its name to Labour Democrats (Arbeiderdemokratene) in 1911, and to Radical People's Party in 1921. After splitting from the leftist, trade union wing of the Liberal Party (Venstre),^[1] the party took part in its first elections in 1906. At that time the party was led by Johan Castberg. For most of its history, the party's MP's participated in the parliamentary faction of the Liberal Party.

The party had its strongest support among small-scale farmers and landless agricultural labourers.

During the First World War, the party went into a period of steady decline. Only in Oppland and in lesser extent in Hedmark did the party retain some influence. In the 1918 election, the party was reduced to one MP. At the election in 1936, it fell out of parliament all together.

In 1921 the name Radical People's Party was adopted.

The party contested an election for the last time in 1936. After World War II, it had merged with the Liberal Party, although formally the parties had joint lists in Oppland until 1957.

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