Conservative Party Høyre | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | H |
| Leader | Erna Solberg |
| Parliamentary leader | Erna Solberg |
| Founded | 25 August 1884 |
| Headquarters | Stortingsgaten 20 0161,Oslo |
| Youth wing | Norwegian Young Conservatives |
| Membership(2024) |  29,181[1] |
| Ideology | Liberal conservatism Pro-Europeanism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| European affiliation | European People's Party (associate) |
| International affiliation | International Democracy Union |
| Nordic affiliation | Conservative Group |
| Colours | Blue |
| Slogan | Ingen Slagord bare løsningene som virker ('No slogans, just solutions that work')[2] |
| Storting | 24 / 169 |
| County councils | 167 / 777 |
| Municipal councils[3] | 1,717 / 10,620 |
| Sámi Parliament | 1 / 39 |
| Website | |
| høyre | |
TheConservative Party orThe Right (Bokmål:Høyre,Nynorsk:Høgre,lit. 'Right',H;Northern Sami:Olgešbellodat) is aliberal-conservativepolitical party inNorway.[4][5] It is themajor party of the Norwegiancentre-right,[6][7][8] and was the leading party in government as part of theSolberg cabinet from 2013 to 2021. The current party leader is formerprime ministerErna Solberg. The party is a member of theInternational Democracy Union and an associate member of theEuropean People's Party.
The party is traditionally a pragmatic and politicallymoderate conservative party strongly associated with the traditional elites within the civil service and Norwegian business life. During the 20th century, the party advocatedeconomic liberalism,tax cuts,individual rights, support ofmonarchism, theChurch of Norway and theArmed Forces,anti-communism,pro-Europeanism, and support of theNordic model; over time, the party's values have become more socially liberal in areas such asgender equality, LGBT rights, and immigration and integration issues; the party defines itself as a party pursuing a "conservative progressive policy based on Christian cultural values, constitutional government and democracy".[9][10] In line with itsWestern bloc alignment during theCold War era, the party strongly supportsNATO, which Norway co-founded, and has consistently been the most outspokenly pro-European Union party in Norway,[11][12] supporting Norwegian membership during both the1972 and1994 referendums.[13]
The Conservative Party traditionally caters to the educated elite and is the most popular party among elite groups.[14][15] In the postwar era, the party formed a grand consensus with theLabour Party regarding foreign and security policy—frequently expressed by themaxim "the foreign policy is settled" (utenrikspolitikken ligger fast)—that led Norway to co-found NATO and enter into a close alliance with the United States, and the parties' economic policies have gradually become more similar. Both parties are pragmatic, relatively technocratic, anti-populist, and close to thepolitical centre.[16] The party supports the Nordic model, but also a certain amount of semi-privatisation through state-funded private services.[17]
Founded in 1884, the Conservative Party is the second-oldest political party in Norway after theLiberal Party.[18] In theinterwar era, one of the main goals for the party was to achieve a centre-right alliance against the growinglabour movement, when the party went into decline. In the post-war era until 2005, the party participated in six governments: two 1960snational governments (Lyng's Cabinet andBorten's Cabinet); one 1980s Conservative Partyminority government (Willoch's First Cabinet); two 1980s three-party governments (Willoch's Second Cabinet andSyse's Cabinet); in the 2000sBondevik's Second Cabinet; and from 2013 to 2021 it was the dominant partner in a coalition government that also included the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party.[17]
The Conservative Party of Norway (Høire, now spelledHøyre, lit. "The Right") was founded in 1884 after the implementation ofparliamentarism in Norway. The juristEmil Stang was elected the first chairman of the party. Stang underlined important principles for the work in Høyre. The party was to be a social party of reforms that worked within the constitutional frames set by a parliamentary democracy.
Høyre's electoral support has varied. In the 1981 election it obtained 31.7%, its best result since 1924. The result in 1993 was 17%, which saw the election influenced by the EU membership issue which divided theLiberal Party. The 1997 parliamentary election resulted in the lowest support for Høyre since 1945, with only 14.3% of the votes. Since then it has seen support ranging from just over 14% to just under 27%.
In the beginning of the 20th century, Høyre took the initiative to construct a modern Norwegiancommunications network. After the devastatingFirst World War the party felt it important to work for the reconstruction of sound economic policies. An example of this is the resolution Høyre passed in 1923 introducingold-age insurance; owing to the condition of the state's finances it was not possible to continue this effort. It was the leading party in opposition during thepost-war years in Norway, and fought against the Labour Party's regulating policy. Høyre wanted another future for Norway, consisting ofprivate initiative andcreative forces.
Høyre has been active in the construction of thewelfare system in Norway, and has on several occasions taken the initiative to correct injustices insocial care regulations.[citation needed] Additionally, Høyre has advocated that the state's activity must concentrate on its basic problems and their solutions.
During Norway'spost-war years Høyre has consolidated its position as a party with appeal to all parts of the nation. Non-socialist co-operation as an alternative tosocialism has always been one of Høyre's main aims. Høyre has led severalcoalition governments. The Christian Democratic Party was one of Høyre's coalition partners both in 1983–86 and 1989–90.
The party strongly supported theWestern alignment of Norway during theCold War; it strongly supportsNATO, which Norway co-founded in 1949, and has consistently been the most outspokenlypro-European Union party in Norway, supporting Norwegian membership during both thereferendum of 1972 andthat of 1994.[13]
At the parliamentary election in 1993, it was impossible to present a credible non-socialist government alternative, because Høyre's former coalition parties, The Christian Democrats and theCentre Party, both campaigned strongly against Norwegian membership of the EU.
Before the parliamentary election in 1997 the Labour Party proclaimed that it would not be willing to govern the country if it did not obtain more than 36.9% of the votes. In the event it obtained 35%, and other parties had to form a government. Originally, there were serious discussions between Høyre, the Christian Democrats and Venstre concerning this task, but in the end the two latter parties joined forces with the Centre Party to create a minority government without Høyre.
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In theparliamentary election in September 2001, Høyre obtained 21.2 percent of the votes. After a series of discussions Høyre was once again able to take part in a coalition government, this time with the Christian Democratic Party (KrF), and the Liberal Party (V). The total percentage obtained for these three parties at last general election was 37.5. Høyre, as the largest party in the coalition government, had 38 members in the present Storting, and 10 of the 19 ministers in theGovernment were Høyre representatives. Høyre's three focal areas this period were to establish a rise in quality in Norway's educational system, lower taxes and produce a higher service level in state sectors.
In the2005 parliamentary election, Høyre obtained 14.1% of the votes. The election outcome put Høyre back in opposition, and the party got 23 members in the present Storting.
In the2009 parliamentary election, Høyre obtained 17.2% of the votes, and 30 members in the present Storting.
During thelocal elections of 2011, however, the party gained 27.6 percent of the vote, and it has since then, without exceptions, polled first and second.
In the2013 parliamentary election, Høyre obtained 26.8 percent of the votes, and 48 members in the presentStorting. Høyre formed a minority government, with confidence and supply from KrF and V. The Government was reelected in2017 and became a majority Government in 2019. In the2021 election, centre-left parties won the majority of seats and Solberg conceded defeat.[19] The party's downward trend continued in the2025 parliamentary election, where the Labour Party and their allies won with a reduced majority.[20] Despite the left-of-centre bloc losing seats on aggregate, the Conservatives were pushed into third place, losing 12 seats. The party was displaced as the main right-of-centre party by theProgress Party, which won 47 seats to the Conservatives' 24. Solberg has indicated her intention to resign as Conservative leader as a result of the party's poor showing.[21] Solberg will remain as party leader until a successor is elected at the 2026 party conference.
Høyre has been described as aconservative[22][23][24][25] orliberal-conservative party,[4][25][26][27] and it defines itself as a party pursuing a "progressive-conservative policy based on Christian cultural values, constitutional government and democracy."[9]
Høyre is considered a centre-rightreformist party professed to the moderately conservative political tradition, similar to theCDU of Germany. The party broadly supports theNordic model, like all large parties in Norway. In relative terms, the party advocates forfree-market policies, includingtax cuts and relatively little government involvement in theeconomy, while still supporting thewelfare state and thesocial market economy. Høyre is also the only party in theStorting which proposes a reduction in public spending.[citation needed][needs update?]
Traditionally, the party supports established institutions, such as themonarchy, thearmed forces, and theChurch of Norway. Itssocial policies were always considered moderate and pragmatic for its time, but have gradually become moresocially liberal.
In the 21st century, the Conservative Party supports LGBTIQ+ rights as a fundamental part of its liberal-conservative ideology, and it has implemented several policies advancing transgender and other LGBTIQ+ rights. The party voted in 2008 for a law that recognisedsame-sex marriage andgay adoption rights.[28]Erna Solberg's government proposed several policies advancing transgender rights, including gender self-identification in 2016. Conservative Minister of EqualityLinda Hofstad Helleland condemned all forms oftransphobia and said that "trans people are subjected to hate, violence, and harassment."[29] After Conservative Party local politician Simen Sandelien published a Facebook post about "transgender ideology", he was strongly criticized by the party. Conservative Party leaderErna Solberg said Sandelien should reconsider if he really agrees with the Conservative Party's basic ideology. Conservative Secretary general Tom Erlend Skaug said he had summoned Sandelien for a conversation, but amid calls for his expulsion Sandelien later that day sent out a statement confirming that he had resigned from the party.[30]
The party has around 30,000 registered members (2018). The Central Board of the Conservative Party meets seven times a year to discuss important matters such as budget, organisational work, plans, party platforms, and drawing up political lines.
The party traditionally caters to the educated elite; it has the most highly educated voters of all parties, and is the most popular party among elite groups.[14][15]
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Emil Stang | 33,284 | 36.6 | 30 / 114 | 1 |  2nd | Opposition |
| 1888 | 36,564 | 38.7 | 51 / 114 | 21 | 1st | Opposition(1888–1889) | |
| Minority(1889–1891) | |||||||
| 1891[a] | 50,059 | 49.2 | 35 / 114 | 16 | 2nd | Opposition | |
| 1894[a] | Christian Schweigaard | 81,462 | 49.3 | 40 / 114 | 5 |  2nd | Opposition |
| 1897[a] | Emil Stang | 77,682 | 46.7 | 25 / 114 | 15 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1900[a] | Francis Hagerup | 96,092 | 40.8 | 31 / 114 | 6 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1903[a] | Ole Larsen Skattebøl | 106,042 | 44.8 | 47 / 117 | 16 | 2nd | Coalition(1903–1905) |
| Coalition(1905–1906) | |||||||
| 1906 | Edmund Harbitz | Within the Coalition Party | 36 / 123 | 26[b] | 2nd | Opposition | |
| 1909[c] | Fredrik Stang | 175,388 | 41.5 | 41 / 123 | 5 | 2nd | Opposition(1909–1910) |
| Coalition(1910–1912) | |||||||
| 1912[c] | Jens Bratlie | 162,074 | 33.2 | 20 / 123 | 21 | 3rd | Coalition(1912–1913) |
| Opposition(1913–1915) | |||||||
| 1915[c] | 179,028 | 29.0 | 20 / 123 | | 2nd | Opposition | |
| 1918[c] | 201,325 | 30.4 | 40 / 126 | 20 | 2nd | Opposition(1918–1920) | |
| Coalition(1920–1921) | |||||||
| 1921[c] | Otto Bahr Halvorsen | 301,372 | 33.3 | 42 / 150 | 2 | 1st | Opposition(1921–1923) |
| Coalition(1923–1924) | |||||||
| 1924[c] | Ivar Lykke | 316,846 | 32.5 | 43 / 150 | 1 | 1st | Opposition(1924–1926) |
| Coalition(1926–1927) | |||||||
| 1927[c] | C. J. Hambro | 240,091 | 24.0 | 29 / 150 | 14 | 3rd | Coalition(1927–1928) |
| Opposition(1928–1930) | |||||||
| 1930[c] | 327,731 | 27.4 | 39 / 150 | 10 | 2nd | Opposition | |
| 1933[c] | 252,506 | 20.2 | 30 / 150 | 9 | 2nd | Opposition | |
| 1936[c] | Johan H. Andresen | 310,324 | 21.3 | 36 / 150 | 6 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1945 | Arthur Nordlie | 252,608 | 17.0 | 25 / 150 | 11 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1949[d] | 279,790 | 18.3 | 23 / 150 | 2 | 2nd | Opposition | |
| 1953[d] | C. J. Hambro | 327,971 | 18.6 | 27 / 150 | 4 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1957[d] | Alv Kjøs | 301,395 | 18.9 | 29 / 150 | 2 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1961[d] | 354,369 | 20.0 | 29 / 150 | | 2nd | Opposition(1961–1963) | |
| Coalition(1963) | |||||||
| Opposition(1963–1965) | |||||||
| 1965[d] | Sjur Lindebrække | 415,612 | 21.1 | 31 / 150 | 2 | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1969[d] | 406,209 | 19.6 | 29 / 150 | 2 | 2nd | Coalition(1969–1971) | |
| Opposition(1971–1973) | |||||||
| 1973[d] | Kåre Willoch | 370,370 | 17.4 | 29 / 155 | | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1977[d] | Erling Norvik | 563,783 | 24.8 | 41 / 155 | 12 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1981 | Jo Benkow | 780,372 | 31.7 | 53 / 155 | 12 | 2nd | Minority(1981–1983) |
| Coalition(1983–1985) | |||||||
| 1985 | Erling Norvik | 791,537 | 30.4 | 50 / 157 | 3 | 2nd | Coalition(1985–1986) |
| Opposition(1986–1989) | |||||||
| 1989 | Jan P. Syse | 588,682 | 22.2 | 37 / 165 | 13 | 2nd | Coalition(1989–1990) |
| Opposition(1990–1993) | |||||||
| 1993 | Kaci Kullmann Five | 419,373 | 17.0 | 28 / 165 | 9 | 3rd | Opposition |
| 1997 | Jan Petersen | 370,441 | 14.3 | 23 / 165 | 5 | 4th | Opposition |
| 2001 | 534,852 | 21.2 | 38 / 165 | 15 | 2nd | Coalition | |
| 2005 | Erna Solberg | 372,008 | 14.1 | 23 / 169 | 15 | 3rd | Opposition |
| 2009 | 462,465 | 17.2 | 30 / 169 | 7 | 3rd | Opposition | |
| 2013 | 760,232 | 26.8 | 48 / 169 | 18 | 2nd | Coalition | |
| 2017 | 732,897 | 25.0 | 45 / 169 | 3 | 2nd | Coalition | |
| 2021 | 607,316 | 20.5 | 36 / 169 | 9 | 2nd | Opposition | |
| 2025 | 471,602 | 14.7 | 24 / 169 | 12 | 3rd | Opposition | |
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