The Conservative Party (Norway)

The Conservative Party (Norwegian: Høyre (H), literally meaning right) is a political party in Norway, representing European conservatism and liberal conservatism. Per the Norwegian parliamentary election of 2005, the Conservative Party is Norway's third largest political party, currently being in opposition together the other right-wing parties. Current leader is Erna Solberg.

History

Early years

The party was founded in 1884, as the second political party in Norway, representing a opposition against the Liberal Party, founded earlier the same year. The Conservative Party was a reaction against parliamentarian and women's suffrage, and universal suffrage in general. The party wanted to maintain the present union with Sweden (which was later dissolved after a referendum in 1905). Most of the members in the party's early beginning were governmental officers, traders and land owners.

The Conservative and Liberal Parties changed on having the governmental power in the early years, from 1884 to 1928, when the Labour Party established its first government, after winning the parliamentary election the same year; the Conservative Party's main enemy wasn't any longer the Liberal Party.

In opposition, 1945–1963

From the end of the Second World War to 1963, the Labour Party's Einar Gerhardsen was the Norwegian Prime Minister, while the Conservative Party was the largest party in opposition.

New will, 1963–1981

The Labour Party had to give the governmental power to the Conservative Party because of the scandal relating to the King's Bay mine accident. John Lyng's government couldn't govern Norway for long before the party had to give the power back to the Labour Party already the same year. Though, Lyng's right-wing coalition government gave hope for the right-wing opposition, and the Conservative Party became a part of Per Borten's coalition government (1965–1971). Borten was from the Centre Party, and had to resign because of a scandal; however, later investigations showed that Borten was innocent.

In charge, 1981–1990

The Conservative Party won the 1981 parliamentary election, and Kåre Willoch became Prime Minister. The Willoch's first government was the first Conservative-only government sine Emil Stang's second government (1893–1895), and since not been succeeded by another Conservative-only government. After the 1985 parliamentary election, also the Christian Democrats and the Centre Party was included into the the government, Willoch II. Willoch's government did things like removing the tax for fortune, and dissolving the NRK monopoly of Norwegian broadcasting, leading to an explosion of the number of radio stations, and leading up to the creation of TV2 in 1991. After a dispute between the Progress Party and the government, Willoch's government fell in a vote of no confidence in 1986.

The Labour Party was in charge from 1986 to 1989, when a government consisting of the same parties as in Willoch II took the power. Jan P. Syse from the Conservative Party was Prime Minister until 1990, when his government fell due to a vote of no confidence, where the Centre Party voted against it's own government because of Syse's decision about working for Norway's entering into the European Economic Area. Syse is per 2008 the last Prime Minister of Norway representing the Conservative Party.

Prime Ministers

• Jens Bratlie, 1912–1913
• Otto Bahr Halvorsen, 1920–1921 and 1923
• Ivar Lykke, 1926–1928
• John Lyng, 1963
• Kåre Willoch, 1981–1986
• Jan P. Syse, 1989–1990

See also

• Stortinget