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1981 Norwegian parliamentary election
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| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| country | Norway |
| type | parliamentary |
| previous_election | 1977 Norwegian parliamentary election |
| previous_year | 1977 |
| next_election | 1985 Norwegian parliamentary election |
| next_year | 1985 |
| seats_for_election | All 155 seats in the Storting |
| majority_seats | 78 |
| election_date | 13 and 14 September 1981 |
| image_size | 130x130px |
| image1 | Brundtland.jpg |
| leader1 | Gro Harlem Brundtland |
| party1 | Norwegian Labour Party |
| last_election1 | 42.3%, 76 seats |
| seats1 | **66** |
| seat_change1 | 10 |
| popular_vote1 | **914,749** |
| percentage1 | **37.2%** |
| swing1 | 5.1pp |
| image2 | Jo Benkow.jpg |
| leader2 | Jo Benkow |
| party2 | Conservative Party (Norway) |
| last_election2 | 24.5%, 41 seats |
| seats2 | 53 |
| seat_change2 | 12 |
| popular_vote2 | 780,372 |
| percentage2 | 31.7% |
| swing2 | 7.2pp |
| image3 | Kaare Kristiansen politiker KrF (cropped).JPG |
| leader3 | Kåre Kristiansen |
| party3 | Christian Democratic Party (Norway) |
| last_election3 | 9.7%, 22 seats |
| seats3 | 15 |
| seat_change3 | 7 |
| popular_vote3 | 219,179 |
| percentage3 | 8.9% |
| swing3 | 0.8pp |
| image4 | Johan J. Jakobsen, fotografert under Sps landsmøte i Haugesund i 2015 (cropped).jpg |
| leader4 | Johan J. Jakobsen |
| party4 | Centre Party (Norway) |
| last_election4 | 8.0%, 12 seats |
| seats4 | 11 |
| seat_change4 | 1 |
| popular_vote4 | 103,753 |
| percentage4 | 4.2% |
| swing4 | 3.8pp |
| image5 | Berge Furre.jpg |
| leader5 | Berge Furre |
| party5 | Socialist Left Party (Norway) |
| last_election5 | 4.2%, 2 seats |
| seats5 | 4 |
| seat_change5 | 2 |
| popular_vote5 | 121,561 |
| percentage5 | 4.9% |
| swing5 | 0.7pp |
| image6 | Carl i Hagen043 2E jpg DF0000062790.jpg |
| leader6 | Carl I. Hagen |
| party6 | Progress Party (Norway) |
| last_election6 | 1.9%, 0 seats |
| seats6 | 4 |
| seat_change6 | 4 |
| popular_vote6 | 109,564 |
| percentage6 | 4.5% |
| swing6 | 2.6pp |
| leader7 | Hans Hammond Rossbach |
| party7 | Liberal Party of Norway |
| last_election7 | 2.4%, 2 seats |
| seats7 | 2 |
| seat_change7 | |
| popular_vote7 | 79,064 |
| percentage7 | 3.2% |
| swing7 | 0.8pp |
| map_image | Stortingsvalget 1981.svg |
| map_caption | Largest bloc and seats won by constituency |
| title | Prime Minister |
| posttitle | Prime Minister after election |
| before_election | Gro Harlem Brundtland |
| before_party | Norwegian Labour Party |
| after_election | Kåre Willoch |
| after_party | Conservative Party (Norway) |
| turnout | 82% |
Parliamentary elections were held in Norway on 13 and 14 September 1981. The elections led to the end of the Labour Party minority government and the creation of a Conservative Party minority government.
The Conservative Party made the strongest gains in the election. The Labour Party remained the largest party in the Storting, winning 66 of the 155 seats.
Attempts were made to form a majority coalition government with the Conservative Party, Christian People's Party and Centre Party, but the negotiations failed. The Conservative Party subsequently formed a minority government with parliamentary support from Christian People's Party and Centre Party.
In 1983 a majority coalition government with the Christian People's Party and the Centre Party was established.
Contesting parties
| Name | Ideology | Position | Leader | 1977 result | Votes (%) | Seats | Labour Party (Norway)}}; width:2px;" | Conservative Party of Norway (2020)}}; width:2px;" | Christian Democratic Party (Norway)}}; width:2px;" | Centre Party (Norway)}}; width:2px;" | Socialist Left Party (Norway)}}; width:2px;" | Liberal Party (Norway)}}; width:2px;" | Progress Party (Norway)}}; width:2px;" | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Ap** | Labour Party | |||||||||||||||||||
| Arbeiderpartiet | Social democracy | Centre-left | Gro Harlem Brundtland | 42.2% | ||||||||||||||||
| **H** | Conservative Party | |||||||||||||||||||
| Høyre | Conservatism | Centre-right | Jo Benkow | 24.5% | ||||||||||||||||
| **KrF** | Christian Democratic Party | |||||||||||||||||||
| Kristelig Folkeparti | Christian democracy | Centre to centre-right | Kåre Kristiansen | 9.7% | ||||||||||||||||
| **Sp** | Centre Party | |||||||||||||||||||
| Senterpartiet | Agrarianism | Centre | Johan J. Jakobsen | 8.0% | ||||||||||||||||
| **SV** | Socialist Left Party | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sosialistisk Venstreparti | Democratic socialism | Left-wing | Berge Furre | 4.1% | ||||||||||||||||
| **V** | Liberal Party | |||||||||||||||||||
| Venstre | Social liberalism | Centre | Hans Hammond Rossbach | 2.3% | ||||||||||||||||
| **FrP** | Progress Party | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fremskrittspartiet | Classical liberalism | Right-wing | Carl I. Hagen | 1.8% |
Leadership changes and challenges
Progress Party
Carl I. Hagen was elected chairman on 12 February 1978 after Arve Lønnum declined to seek reelection.
Christian People's Party
After Lars Korvald declined to seek reelection, Kåre Kristiansen was elected chairman on 21 April 1979. Despite not being a candidate, Kjell Magne Bondevik received 44 votes.
Campaign
Slogans
| Party | Original slogan | English translation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Party (Norway)}}" | Labour Party | Arbeid for alle | |
| Conservative Party (Norway)}}" | Conservative Party | ||
| Centre Party (Norway)}}" | Centre Party | ||
| Christian Democratic Party (Norway)}}" | Christian Democratic Party | ||
| Liberal Party (Norway)}}" | Liberal Party | ||
| Communist Party of Norway}}" | Communist Party of Norway | ||
| Sources: |
Debates
| 1981 Norwegian general election debates | Date | Organiser | Present Invitee Non-invitee | Ap | H | KrF | Sp | Sv | V | Frp | Dlp | NKP | R | Refs | Labour Party (Norway)}}" | Conservative Party (Norway)}}" | Christian Democratic Party (Norway)}}" | Centre Party (Norway)}}" | Socialist Left Party (Norway)}}" | Liberal Party (Norway)}}" | Progress Party (Norway)}}" | Liberal People's Party (Norway, 1972)}}" | Communist Party of Norway}}" | Red Electoral Alliance}}" | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 April | *NRK* | **P** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gro Harlem Brundtland | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kåre Willoch | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kåre Kristiansen | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Johan J. Jakobsen | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanna Kvanmo | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hans Hammond Rossbach | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carl I. Hagen | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gerd Søraa | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Martin Gunnar Knutsen | **N** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sigurd Allern | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 September | *NRK* | **P** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Einar Førde, Gro Harlem Brundtland | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kåre Willoch | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kåre Kristiansen | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Johan J. Jakobsen | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanna Kvanmo | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hans Hammond Rossbach | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carl I. Hagen | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gerd Søraa | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Martin Gunnar Knutsen | **P** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sigurd Allern |
Results
Voter demographics
| Cohort | Percentage of cohort voting for | Ap | H | KrF | Sv | FrP | Sp | V | Others | Labour Party (Norway)}}" | Conservative Party (Norway)}}" | Christian Democratic Party (Norway)}}" | Socialist Left Party (Norway)}}" | Progress Party (Norway)}}" | Centre Party (Norway)}}" | Liberal Party (Norway)}}" | Independent politician}}" | Gender | Age | Work | Education | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total vote | 37.2% | 31.7% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 4.5% | 4.2% | 3.2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Females | 35.6% | 30.3% | 12.8% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 4.3% | 3.3% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Males | 38.4% | 33.1% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.3% | 4.2% | 3.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18–30 years old | 26.2% | 33.8% | 5.2% | 8.8% | 10.1% | 4.6% | 4.3% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30-59 years old | 39.2% | 32.3% | 8% | 4.8% | 3.5% | 3.8% | 3.6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60 years old and older | 43.5% | 28.9% | 14.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 4.9% | 1.2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| low income | 43.5% | 25.9% | 11.8% | 4.4% | 7.1% | 5.6% | 2.4% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average income | 43.9% | 27.2% | 8.1% | 5.8% | 3.6% | 4% | 3.6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| High income | 23.3% | 50.3% | 6.5% | 4.5% | 3.8% | 2.4% | 3.4% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary school | 55.2% | 18.7% | 9.6% | 3.1% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| High school | 36% | 33% | 8.9% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5% | 3% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| University/college | 12.9% | 47.7% | 7.9% | 9.1% | 3.3% | 2.9% | 7.5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: Norwegian Institute for Social Research |
Seat distribution
| Constituency | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| seats | Seats won | Ap | H | KrF | Sp | SV | Frp | V | Labour Party (Norway)}};" | Conservative Party (Norway)}};" | Christian Democratic Party (Norway)}};" | Centre Party (Norway)}};" | Socialist Left Party (Norway)}};" | Progress Party (Norway)}};" | Liberal Party (Norway)}};" | Akershus | 10 | Aust-Agder | 4 | Buskerud | 7 | Finnmark | 4 | Hedmark | 8 | Hordaland | 15 | Møre og Romsdal | 10 | Nord-Trøndelag | 6 | Nordland | 12 | Oppland | 7 | Oslo | 15 | Østfold | 8 | Rogaland | 10 | Sogn og Fjordane | 5 | Sør-Trøndelag | 10 | Telemark | 6 | Troms | 6 | Vest-Agder | 5 | Vestfold | 7 | Total | 155 | 66 | 53 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |||||||
| 4 | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: [Norges Offisielle Statistikk](https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b261.pdf) |
Notes
References
References
- [[Dieter Nohlen]] & Philip Stöver (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p1438 {{ISBN. 978-3-8329-5609-7
- Valen, Henry. (1982). "Norway: The 1981 election confirms trend to the right". Electoral Studies.
- "Historiske slagord og plakater".
- (9 April 1981). "Tema: Hvilken politikk er best egnet til å møte 80-årenes utfordringer?".
- (11 September 1981). "Partilederdebatt, Partilederne i valgkampinnspurten foran Stortingsvalget 1981.".
- Nohlen & Stöver, p1460
- "Kristelig Folkeparti - Valgforskning".
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