Det norske Arbeiderparti
Det norske Arbeiderparti (DNA), the Norwegian Labour Party, was founded in
1887, and has been
Norway's largest
political party since
1927. The last few years the party has been sharing this position on and off with
Fremskrittspartiet,
Høyre and
Sosialistisk Venstreparti in polls, but has managed to keep its lead in elections. The party experienced a split in
1921 caused by a decision made two years earlier to join the
Communist International. In
1923 the party left the Communist International and in
1927 Labour was once again united. The first labour government was formed in
1928, lasting only two weeks. During the early
1930s Labour abandoned its revolutionary profile and set for a reformist course. Labour then returned to government in
1935 and remained in power until
1965 (except for the exile period between
1940-
1945). Other periods in government have been
1971-
1972,
1973-
1981,
1986-
1989 ,
1990-
1997 and
2000-
2001. It has been in power most of this time and is largely to be credited for building the
welfare state in Norway.
DNA is a social democratic party committed to liberty, democracy and social justice. It is a reformist party that believes in partnership and cooperation on national as well as international level. After the elections in 2001 the party is the largest opposition party, with 43 seats in the Parliament.
Former party leader and Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland is now stepping down from the position as chairman of the WHO after 5 years. She is one of Norway's most renowned politicians, both at home and abroad.
Party leaders
Labour Prime Ministers since 1945
External link