torsdag, oktober 09, 2003
An introduction to Norwegian politics
For anyone interested in Norwegian politics, here's a short explanation of who's who:
**A table showing election results in every parliamentary election since 1957.
The Government is comprised of three parties:
Høyre (Conservative Party)
Right-wing conservative party and unabashed market liberalists. Have a dark and disturbing history; Høyre (lit. "The right") supported, in their day, both Adolf Hitler, Augusto Pinochet and the Vietnam War. Have stood obediently by the USA's side in every single war ever fought, just like a little lapdog. When in power, Høyre is a brutal party with no concern for either unemployed, single mothers, immigrants or low-income groups of people. They adhere dogmatically to the principle of "if it's public property, it's no good; sell it". Have messed up the economy in Norway's biggest municipality, the county of Oslo, and destroyed the schools, the public transport, the care centres for the elderly. Have slashed unemployment benefits more than by half in two years of government and are about to implement massive tax cuts, the victims of which will be the schools, the public transport, the elderly, the environment...
Kristelig Folkeparti (Christian Democrats)
Right-centre-right conservative christian democrats. Notoriously hypocritical and without any principles whatsoever. The most power-addicted party in Norway and, in terms of societal values, without a shadow of doubt the most reactionary. They are fervently anti-abortionist, do not like either working women nor gays and lesbians, have fought the legislation permitting gays and lesbians to be married with a vengeance. For the recent local elections they did really, really badly though, the reason for which was that two of their top people were indicted for sexually assaulting women. Just two weeks after the elections, another one of these fundamentalists were arrested by the police and charged with the murder of a defenceless man in a wheelchair. Yes, that's right folks; the only party in Norway to have among their ranks a suspected murderer is both (a) a fundamentalist christian party and (b) in government, occupying the Prime Minister's post. The Christian Democrats have no say in the current government; it is by all rights a government ruled by Høyre. However, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik loves his job too much to want to lose it to some petty political principles (all of them, actually), and that's the only reason they're still in it.
Venstre (Liberal Party)
A small party that never ceases to be ridiculous. In theory a sympathetic party with strong environmental and agricultural positions; in practice, just another shitty, privatising, corporation-friendly, corrupt bastard party with no qualms about lying into the face of the electorate time after time. Try to pass themselves off as an environmental party for the little man, but fail miserably.
The opposition (going from left to right):
Rød Valgallianse (Red Electoral Alliance)
The communist party, currently with a popularity of around 2 per cent. In theory and in practice, a pack of dogmatic idiots in desperate need of renewal. They do have some fine principles, but aren't really worth the time. Not represented in Parliament at the time and have only been so once.
Sosialistisk Venstreparti (SV - Socialist Left)
My favourite party is a progressive, democratic socialist party. SV have the best policies on environment, education and health and all other things traditionally important to the centre-left. These elections were their best ever, and I hope for the love of God that they get into government after the next elections. SV has a high level of credibility and sympathy amongst ordinary people, and are just about the only party that manage successfully to give the impression of being accountable and honest. I have little or nothing wrong to say about SV. Strongly anti-EU, which of course is a good thing.
Arbeiderpartiet (Labour Party)
Centre-left social democrats with few scruples, as long as they can get themselves into power. But better than the centre, centre-right parties at any rate. Along with SV, RV and the Center Party (see below) they have sane and sensible policies on reduction of unemployment, but carry with them, at the same time, an ugly record of failed privatisation during their time in government. Nonetheless, as stats show, unemployment was a cool 2% lower under their last government, which is quite a lot in Norway.
Senterpartiet (Center Party)
The party for the farmers and the fishers. Huge in the countryside, non-existent in the cities. More or less a social democratic party, but very nationalistic.
Fremskrittspartiet (Progress Party)
An extreme right, racist and national chauvinistic party with overt authoritarian roots and links. Formed in 1974 and have exploded in popularity in the last decade. Their charismatic leader, Carl I. Hagen, is by many regarded as the best politician in Norway. Behind him, however, there is very little, and the party's popularity rests on his shoulders. Reminds in many ways about the Republican Party over in the USA. Think that everything should be privatised, have proposed a number of racist and extremely discriminatory laws concerning immigrants, have overt links to the fascist right and religiously extremist right both and a dictatorial leader. A potentially dangerous party.
For anyone interested in Norwegian politics, here's a short explanation of who's who:
**A table showing election results in every parliamentary election since 1957.
The Government is comprised of three parties:
Høyre (Conservative Party)
Right-wing conservative party and unabashed market liberalists. Have a dark and disturbing history; Høyre (lit. "The right") supported, in their day, both Adolf Hitler, Augusto Pinochet and the Vietnam War. Have stood obediently by the USA's side in every single war ever fought, just like a little lapdog. When in power, Høyre is a brutal party with no concern for either unemployed, single mothers, immigrants or low-income groups of people. They adhere dogmatically to the principle of "if it's public property, it's no good; sell it". Have messed up the economy in Norway's biggest municipality, the county of Oslo, and destroyed the schools, the public transport, the care centres for the elderly. Have slashed unemployment benefits more than by half in two years of government and are about to implement massive tax cuts, the victims of which will be the schools, the public transport, the elderly, the environment...
Kristelig Folkeparti (Christian Democrats)
Right-centre-right conservative christian democrats. Notoriously hypocritical and without any principles whatsoever. The most power-addicted party in Norway and, in terms of societal values, without a shadow of doubt the most reactionary. They are fervently anti-abortionist, do not like either working women nor gays and lesbians, have fought the legislation permitting gays and lesbians to be married with a vengeance. For the recent local elections they did really, really badly though, the reason for which was that two of their top people were indicted for sexually assaulting women. Just two weeks after the elections, another one of these fundamentalists were arrested by the police and charged with the murder of a defenceless man in a wheelchair. Yes, that's right folks; the only party in Norway to have among their ranks a suspected murderer is both (a) a fundamentalist christian party and (b) in government, occupying the Prime Minister's post. The Christian Democrats have no say in the current government; it is by all rights a government ruled by Høyre. However, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik loves his job too much to want to lose it to some petty political principles (all of them, actually), and that's the only reason they're still in it.
Venstre (Liberal Party)
A small party that never ceases to be ridiculous. In theory a sympathetic party with strong environmental and agricultural positions; in practice, just another shitty, privatising, corporation-friendly, corrupt bastard party with no qualms about lying into the face of the electorate time after time. Try to pass themselves off as an environmental party for the little man, but fail miserably.
The opposition (going from left to right):
Rød Valgallianse (Red Electoral Alliance)
The communist party, currently with a popularity of around 2 per cent. In theory and in practice, a pack of dogmatic idiots in desperate need of renewal. They do have some fine principles, but aren't really worth the time. Not represented in Parliament at the time and have only been so once.
Sosialistisk Venstreparti (SV - Socialist Left)
My favourite party is a progressive, democratic socialist party. SV have the best policies on environment, education and health and all other things traditionally important to the centre-left. These elections were their best ever, and I hope for the love of God that they get into government after the next elections. SV has a high level of credibility and sympathy amongst ordinary people, and are just about the only party that manage successfully to give the impression of being accountable and honest. I have little or nothing wrong to say about SV. Strongly anti-EU, which of course is a good thing.
Arbeiderpartiet (Labour Party)
Centre-left social democrats with few scruples, as long as they can get themselves into power. But better than the centre, centre-right parties at any rate. Along with SV, RV and the Center Party (see below) they have sane and sensible policies on reduction of unemployment, but carry with them, at the same time, an ugly record of failed privatisation during their time in government. Nonetheless, as stats show, unemployment was a cool 2% lower under their last government, which is quite a lot in Norway.
Senterpartiet (Center Party)
The party for the farmers and the fishers. Huge in the countryside, non-existent in the cities. More or less a social democratic party, but very nationalistic.
Fremskrittspartiet (Progress Party)
An extreme right, racist and national chauvinistic party with overt authoritarian roots and links. Formed in 1974 and have exploded in popularity in the last decade. Their charismatic leader, Carl I. Hagen, is by many regarded as the best politician in Norway. Behind him, however, there is very little, and the party's popularity rests on his shoulders. Reminds in many ways about the Republican Party over in the USA. Think that everything should be privatised, have proposed a number of racist and extremely discriminatory laws concerning immigrants, have overt links to the fascist right and religiously extremist right both and a dictatorial leader. A potentially dangerous party.
