This article gives an overview of liberalism in Norway. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.

Introduction

Liberalism is the eldest organized political force in Norway and was for long times dominant. Since the second world war it is one of the minor forces. The Left (Norway) (Venstre, member LI) is a left of center liberal party.

The timeline

Venstre (Liberal Party)

• 1884: The liberals organised themselves into the Left (Venstre, nowadays usually not translated)
• 1888: The moderate faction of Left formed the ⇒ Moderate Left
• 1903: The right wing of Left formed the ⇒ Liberal Left
• 1911: A radical faction formed ⇒ Workers' Democrats
• 1936: Left is joined by the ⇒ Radical People's Party
• 1972: The pro-European faction of Left formed the ⇒ New Left
• 1988: The ⇒ Liberal People's Party rejoined Left, nowadays usually translated as Liberal Party

Moderate Left

• 1888: The moderate faction of ⇒ Left formed the Moderate Left (Det Moderate Venstre)
• 1903: Moderate Left merged into the conservative Right (Høyre)

From Liberal Left to Free-minded People's Party

• 1903: The right wing of ⇒ Left formed the Liberal Left (Liberale Venstre)
• 1909: Liberal Left is reorganised into the Free-minded Left (Frisinedde Venstre), renamed in 1931 Freethinking People's Party (Frisinnede Folkeparti)
• 1936: The party ceased to exist

From Workers' Democrats to Radical People's Party

• 1911: A radical faction of ⇒ Left formed Workers' Democrats (Arbeiderdemokraterne), renamed in 1921 Radical People's Party (Radikale folkeparti)
• 1936: The party became a faction of ⇒ Left

From New Left to Liberal People's Party

• 1972: The pro European faction of ⇒ Left formed the New Left (Nye Venstre), renamed in 1973 into the New People's Party (Det Nye Folkeparti) and in 1980 into the Liberal People's Party (Det liberale folkeparti)
• 1988: The party rejoined ⇒ Left
• 1992: A group of members of the old Liberal People's Party formed new Liberal People's Party.

Liberal leaders

• Johan Sverdrup - Johannes Steen - Gunnar Knudsen - Lars Sponheim

References

p.m.

See also

• History of Norway
• Politics of Norway
• List of political parties in Norway