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This article gives an overview ofliberalism in Norway. It is limited toliberalparties with substantial support, mainly proved by having been represented in the Norwegian Parliament,Stortinget.
TheLiberal Party (Venstre, literally "Left") was the first organized political force inNorway, and was for long times the dominant political party (from the 1880s to the 1920s). Since theSecond World War, it has been one of the minor parties, but still represented in parliament. Today, Venstre is a centrist liberal party. Venstre is also one of the founding members of theLiberal International. Venstre calls itself 'the only liberal party in Norway',[1] though this is disputed by other parties who also refer to themselves as liberal.
TheConservative Party (Høyre, literally "Right",) was the second organized political party in Norway. After the Second World War, it has at points been the second largest party in elections. In its policies, Høyre supports moderate free market liberalism, while being moderately conservative in social issues. There are, however, more liberally oriented factions within the party.
TheProgress Party (Norwegian:Fremskrittspartiet) formed in 1973. Over the years, the party has supported a variety of liberal positions, especially in regards to a market economy, but also on some social issues. During the 1980s, the party was influenced by libertarianism, but this influence has decreased from the early 1990s and onwards. Since 2006, the party has become more socially conservative in orientation. This might have changed again to a certain degree recently however, as the party chose to vote in favor of same-sex marriage in the 2013 national convention,[2] as well as party leader Siv Jensen's focus on liberalism in recent news articles.[3] The Progress Party is also skeptical of non-Western immigration, which could be seen as conflicting with traditional liberal values. The party has in several elections been the second largest party in Norway, but had never participated in government until the election of 2013, when they formed a coalition government with the Conservative Party.[4]
TheCapitalist Party (Norwegian:Liberalistene) is a newer party grounded inclassical liberalism andLaissez-faire capitalism. It advocates personal freedom and autonomy. This party has not yet been represented in parliament.
TheLiberal People's Party (Norwegian:Det Liberale Folkepartiet) is a minor, classical liberal party, with a focus onObjectivism. It has never been represented in parliament.
The following are events of Norway's liberalism, beginning with the 19th century.
