New blog, dedicated to the election.

Ok, having read all that, I'm left still wondering. Last time, I voted Progress Party. However, my lack of norwegian skills kept me from truly analyzing the political landscape like I should have. I like Bjørn's analysis of the FrP, and based on that, I could vote that way again. However, I like Tor's description of Venstre as well.

Knowing me from my postings here, how do you inside Norway folks think I should vote? My brother Jarl will also vote I think, so here's your chance to influence 2 votes.

A bit more background on my philosophy: Christian Libertarian, pro-life, family values, flat tax, anti socialism, anti racism, anti bigotry (best friend is gay), anti-secular bigotry, pro norwegian culture, pro American, pro education (cousins are norwegian teachers).

Well I have not read other things you have posted here, but “Christian Libertarian, pro-life, family values, flat tax, anti socialism, anti racism, anti bigotry (best friend is gay), anti-secular bigotry, pro norwegian culture, pro American, pro education (cousins are norwegian teachers).”

The party closest to this description is the Progress Party, but you could also vote for the Conservatives (Høyre) , the Liberals (Venstre), the Liberals Peoples Party (Det Liberale Folkeparti), or the Democrats (Demokratene). You will not find a norwegian party that matches all your criteria, but the once I mentioned are all pro business, pro America, pro NATO, flat or reduce taxes, anti racism, but it is hard to find any large party in Norway, except the Christian Democrats, that are pro-life. Almost every Norwegian party support the right to choose within the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy, between the first 12 and 16 weeks you can “apply” for an abortion, after 16 weeks it is illegal. Approximately 80 % of the population supports that right and every party represented at Stortinget, except the Christian Democrats, support that legislation.

Thanks JF. You see my problem.

Ok, Let's leave pro-life out of it, since the hearts of the people must change first.

What distinguishes the Progress, Høyre, Venstre, Det Liberale Folkeparti, and the Demokratene parties, from the point of view of my philosophy?

Or maybe it would be better to use the process of elimination? Are any of these parties environmentalist? Are any of these parties soft on terrorism?

Hi, Gunnar

Like many voters in Norway, your views on the issues don't exactly correspond to any distinct party.

I suppose there's no Norwegian party wholly dedicated to your views in the way that some conservative Republican candidates in the US are. However, if you give priority to social issues, KrF may be your party as long as you realize that they may not be able to fully implement their - as you say - family values platform. Norwegian parliamentary democracy is all about parliamentary compromise. While a flat tax is not realistic, a moderate and gradual tax-cutting agenda has been persued by the present government (at the expense of some popular public services), so Høyre and Venstre might be good alternatives for you as well as Frp and KrF.

ESPEN

For the time being the government in Norway are made up by KrF, Venstre and Høyre. On the left-right scale you will find KrF and Venstre in the center and Høyre on the right hand side.

Venstre define them self as an social liberal party, they support idividual freedom and at the same time they support the welfare state. Venstre also define it self as a environmentalist party. I am not sure exactly how hard or soft they as a party are on terrorism, but the present attorney general are form Venstre and he has suprisingly hard on terrorism.

Høyre are a traditionally liberal-conservative party. They are pro business, fully support USA, hard on terror and support tax.cuts. At the same time they are liberal on social issues, for example the “vice”-leader of Høyre, he is also minister of the treasury, is openly gay and lives as a registered partner whit his boy-friend.

FrP are more conservative than Høyre on social issues, but they call themselves a liberal party, and ten years ago FrP had libertarian tendencies. Frp are pro USA, pro Israel, pro NATO, hard on terror and pro tax-cut. On social issues FrP have some very liberal members and some very conservative members, they also try to get the conservative cristhian vote.

Demokratene is a very new party formed by former members of FrP and some people from the far right. They are kinda like FrP but harder on imigration and pro isolation.

Det Liberale Folkeparti are a very small party, I think they got less the 500 votes in the last election. They are the closest thing you get to a libertarian party, and they are very inspired by Ayn Rand and laissez-faire capitalism.

I hope this was a bit more helpful, do not hesitate to ask more questions.

JF, that really helps a lot.

Ok, I think I can rule Venstre out, so it's between Høyre, FrP and Demokratene. The openly gay Høyre guy doesn't bother me, but I get the impression that they are less bold than FrP. I like boldness.

I'm also dubious of Demokratene. Having grown up as an immigrant in the US, I think the way America is in this respect is perfect. I have never once ever felt any tinge of bad vibes from not being american, nor have I ever seen this with other immigrants. Americans are very accepting of immigrants, but insist that they eventually integrate into american culture.

Maybe not the leaders of Demokratene are racist, but parts of their voters are, well that is my opinion. The leader of Demokratene is an excluded member of the Progress Party; he was to hardcore on anti immigration. They are also very small and will likely not be represented in the next Storting.

You may say that FrP are bolder, and Høyre is a bit more pragmatic, and during the last four years Høyre has compromised a lot to stay in the Government with KrF and Venstre.

The liberal-conservative vote is split between Frp and Høyre. FrP has a bit more blue-collar conservative votes and Høyre has more of the elite conservative vote,

Hope this helps you a bit more.

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