Progress Party (Norway)

Progress Party (Norway). The Progress Party is a major right-wing political party in Norway, founded in 1973 by Anders Lange. It has evolved from a tax protest movement into a significant force in Norwegian politics, advocating for economic liberalism, reduced immigration, and a smaller public sector. The party participated in a coalition government with the Conservative Party from 2013 to 2020, marking its first entry into national executive power.

History

The party was established as Anders Lange's Party for a Strong Reduction in Taxes, Duties and Public Intervention following a famous rally at Ekebergsletta in Oslo. After the death of Anders Lange in 1974, Carl I. Hagen took over leadership, rebranding it the Progress Party and building its organizational strength throughout the 1980s. Under Hagen, the party achieved a breakthrough in the 1989 Norwegian parliamentary election, securing 22 seats in the Storting. A later period of internal strife occurred in the early 2000s, leading to the departure of figures like Pål Atle Skjervengen. The party entered government for the first time in 2013, forming a coalition with Erna Solberg's Conservative Party, with key members like Siv Jensen and Ketil Solvik-Olsen taking ministerial posts. Leadership passed to Sylvi Listhaug in 2021 after the party left government in 2020 over a dispute concerning the repatriation of a Norwegian ISIL member.

Ideology and political positions

The party's core ideology blends economic liberalism and right-wing populism, consistently advocating for lower taxes, privatization of state assets like Statoil, and reductions in public expenditure. Its platform is strongly critical of immigration and multiculturalism, advocating for stricter asylum policies and cultural assimilation. The party is also characterized by its Euroscepticism, opposing Norwegian membership in the European Union while supporting participation in the European Economic Area. On foreign policy, it maintains a strong pro-NATO and pro-Israel stance, and supports increased spending for the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Electoral performance

The party first won representation in the Storting in the 1973 Norwegian parliamentary election. Its support grew significantly in the 1990s, peaking at 22.9% of the vote in the 2009 Norwegian parliamentary election, making it the second-largest party after the Norwegian Labour Party. In the 2013 Norwegian parliamentary election, it won 16.3% of the vote, becoming the junior partner in the Solberg Cabinet. Its support declined during its time in government, falling to 11.6% in the 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election and further to 11.4% in the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, where it campaigned from opposition. The party also holds numerous seats in regional and municipal councils.

Organization and leadership

The party's national organization is headed by a Central Board and a Party Congress that meets annually. The Youth of the Progress Party serves as its official youth wing. The party has been led by several prominent figures: founder Anders Lange (1973–1974), long-time leader Carl I. Hagen (1978–2006), Siv Jensen (2006–2021), and current leader Sylvi Listhaug (2021–present). Other notable figures include former parliamentary leaders like Harald T. Nesvik and Ketil Solvik-Olsen. The party is a member of the International Democracy Union and the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe.

Controversies and criticism

The party has frequently been at the center of political controversy, often accused of xenophobia and Islamophobia due to its rhetoric on immigration, particularly from figures like Christian Tybring-Gjedde and Sylvi Listhaug. Listhaug's 2018 Facebook post accusing the Norwegian Labour Party of putting terrorist rights before national security triggered a crisis of confidence and nearly caused the government's collapse. The party's association with far-right groups and incidents, such as Anders Behring Breivik's former membership, has drawn sustained criticism. Its policies and statements have regularly been condemned by opponents, including the Norwegian Labour Party, the Centre Party, and organizations like the Anti-Racist Centre.

Category:Political parties in Norway Category:Right-wing political parties in Norway