Democrats (Norway)
|
Democrats in Norway
Demokratene i Norge |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leader | Makvan Kasheikal |
| Founded | 24 August 2002 |
| Headquarters | Kristian IV gate 85 4614 Kristiansand S |
| Youth wing | Youth Democrats |
| Membership | 3,500 (2013) |
| Ideology |
National conservatism Nationalism Social conservatism Right-wing populism Euroscepticism Anti-immigration |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| Colours |
Blue and Red |
| Storting |
0 / 169
|
| County Councils |
1 / 728
|
| Municipal Councils |
8 / 10,781
|
| Website | |
| www.demokratene.no | |
The Democrats in Norway (Norwegian: Demokratene i Norge, DEM), formerly and commonly known as the Democrats, is a national conservative political party in Norway without parliamentary representation.
The party was founded in 2002, chiefly by former members of the Progress Party led by Vidar Kleppe. The Democrats has a conservative, national-oriented profile; key issues are opposition to immigration and Islamic influence, opposition to the European Union (including Schengen and the EEA), and tougher law and order measures. In economic issues it has a more centrist profile, calling for raising the minimal state pension, care pay for homemakers, as well as opposition to taxes on cars and toll stations. It considers its values to be based on Christianity and Norwegian heritage.
The party has never been represented in the Storting (Norwegian parliament) except for being joined by independent MP Jan Simonsen in 2002, thus effectively being represented until the parliamentary term expired in 2005. The party reported to have 3,500 registered members in 2013. As of the 2011 local elections, the party has eight representatives in five municipal councils, and one representation in a county council (Vest-Agder).
The Democrats were founded on 24 August 2002 at Hotel Linne in Oslo, primarily by former Progress Party members, but also former members of the Labour Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party and Socialist Left Party. In November of the same year, the party successfully gathered 5,200 signatures (5,000 required), and was legally registered as a party. The new party's leader, Vidar Kleppe, had a vision that the party should have a role as an ombudsman at grass roots level, similar to the role of Anders Lange, the first leader of the Progress Party. Since Member of Parliament Jan Simonsen (who was expelled from the Progress Party in 2001) joined the party upon its creation, the party was until 2005 also effectively represented in the Norwegian Parliament (technically, he had to sit as an independent).
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