Red Party (Norway)

The Red Party (Bokmål: Rødt; Nynorsk: Raudt; Northern Sami: Ruoksat) is a communist political party in Norway.[3] It was founded in March 2007 by a merger of the Red Electoral Alliance and the Workers' Communist Party. A Marxist party, it has been described as left-wing[4][5][6][7] and far-left[8][9][10][11] on the political spectrum. In its political programme, the Red Party sets the creation of a classless society to be its ultimate goal, which the party says is "what Karl Marx called communism".[12] The party's other goals are replacing capitalism with socialism, an expansive public sector and nationalisation of large enterprises. It has a revolutionary socialist ideology, which aims towards new legislatures taking power on behalf of the workers,[13] though the party does not support violent armed revolution as espoused by its predecessors in the 1970s and 1980s.[14] It strongly opposes Norway becoming a member of the European Union.[15]

This article is about the Norwegian political party. For other uses, see Red Party.
"Rodt" redirects here. For the village in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, see Rodt (Loßburg). For the village in Romania known as Rodt in German, see Tilișca.

Red Party
Rødt
Raudt
LeaderMarie Sneve Martinussen
Founded11 March 2007 (2007-03-11)
Merger of
HeadquartersDronningens Gate 22, Oslo
Youth wingRed Youth
Membership (2022)Increase 14,215[1]
Ideology
Political positionLeft-wing to far-left
Nordic affiliationNordic Green Left Alliance[2]
Colours  Red
Slogan"Fordi fellesskap fungerer"
("Because community works")
Storting
8 / 169
County Councils
20 / 574
Municipal Councils
192 / 9,344
Website
rødt.no

The Red Party has 20 county council representatives nationwide and 193 municipal representatives. In the 2013 parliamentary election, it was the largest party that failed to win a seat. The party entered Parliament in the 2017 election, winning 2.4% of the vote and its first seat ever in the Storting.[16] The last time a far-left party had representation in the Storting was when its predecessor party, the Red Electoral Alliance, won a seat in 1993. In the 2021 parliamentary election, the party achieved its best result ever, with 4.6% of the vote, securing eight seats in Parliament.[17]

Ideology and positions

The party supports the existing welfare state in Norway and high taxation upon the wealthy as a means of tackling continuing inequality in Norway.[18] Since its formation, notable groups have merged with the party, the most notable example of this being the Trotskyist International Socialists.[19] The party consists of various internal factions, including Trotskyists, Marxist–Leninists, and democratic socialists.[20] One of the Red Party's primary objectives is to protect the Norwegian welfare state, calling for the government to spend 30 to 40 billion Norwegian krones on the public sector to counter the financial crisis of 2007–2008.[21] Red politician Mimir Kristjansson said that the "right-wing parties have proved their willingness to dismantle the very foundation of our welfare state." According Kristjansson, the socialist parties, along with the Labour Party, need to be forced into a policy which strongly protects the welfare model for the poor.[22] In the aftermath of the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, Kristjansson said that the political right promoted, funded by the right-wing fundraiser billionaire Stein Erik Hagen, and engaged in a Red Scare campaign "to brand the Red Party as supporters of Stalinist genocide and Communist dictatorship" in which the party is seen as "just as bad as Nazism", even though "it has fought long and hard to convince voters of their commitment to a democratic form of Marxist socialism built on the proud Norwegian labor movement's most radical traditions."[23]

The results of the 2009 Norwegian parliamentary election, which were regarded as disappointing for the Red Party, led to some internal turmoil, with some members wanting the party to move ideologically closer to the Socialist Left Party.[24] After being challenged on the party's position on liberal democracy in 2012, party leader Moxnes wrote in Aftenposten that "free speech, freedom of association, free elections, free media, and independent courts that guarantee rule of law for individuals are fundamental for a socialist society".[25] The continued mention of communism in the party program has been a hotly debated topic in the party, with much of the leadership, including Moxnes, wanting to abandon mention of the ideology in favour of a purely democratic socialist line. The party voted to remain ideologically committed to communism in 2014, and, again, in 2019,[26] by a majority in the national conference.[27] The Red Party has been described as Marxist in the 2017[16] and 2021 parliamentary elections.[17]

History

Formation (2007)

The Red Party was founded on 7 March 2007 as a merger between the Red Electoral Alliance and the Workers' Communist Party. The two parties had shared the same history for decades, because the Workers' Communist Party founded the Red Electoral Alliance as an electoral party that would promote communist and socialist values. During the national convention held by the Red Electoral Alliance in February 2007, a faction within the party stated it would support the merger of the two parties if any references to communism in the new party program would be removed.[28]

During a secret meeting between the leading staff of both parties on 5 March, a vote was held, with most members supporting the merger. The Workers' Communist Party was official dissolved in April 2007.[29] During the party's first national convention, three names were considered: Red Choice, Solidarity, and Red Cloth.[30] When founded, the party saw it as its main mission to fill "the void" between it and the Red-Green Coalition.[31] When talking about the party program, Torstein Dahle said: "We will bring up issues which have broad agreement among the people of Norway, but are unfortunately not reflected in the other parties' policies."[32]

Dahle (2007–2010)
Dahle, the former leader of the Red Party

Torstein Dahle was unanimously elected party leader by members of the Workers' Communist Party and the Red Electoral Alliance in February 2007.[33] This was met with criticism by outsiders, who claimed that Dahle would not be able to lead the party in a "new direction". The then leader of the Workers' Communist Party, Ingrid Baltzersen, was elected the party's deputy leader.[34]

On 23 July 2007, Dahle became subject to media attention when he said that the Taliban and other Afghan rebels had the full right to fight Norwegian soldiers stationed in Afghanistan.[35] The attention occurred only days later with the death of a Norwegian army officer in the Logar Province as a Norwegian military unit came under hostile fire. Dahle later replied to the criticism, saying that he did not support the death of Norwegian military personnel.[36]

When planning for the 2007 Norwegian local elections, the party thought it had a realistic chance of gaining the mayorship in three municipalities. During the local elections, the party was forced to campaign under the banner of the Red Electoral Alliance, as the Election Committee had not approved its new name.[37]

Election researcher Bernt Aardal believed that Red would be able win votes from voters who usually voted for the Socialist Left Party. The reasoning behind this was that the Socialist Left became part of the ruling red–green coalition, and would constantly need to make compromises with the two other parties in the coalition. When confronted with his research, he replied: "This is not a large voter group. We've looked at some polls in the past that RV would give the party one or two seats in Parliament. It is difficult to say whether the new party will make a difference."[38]

After experiencing what many described as a bad election, Trond Andresen, a leading political figure within the party, resigned. He said the party was going in a downward spiral and would meet the same fate as the Communist Party of Norway if it did not renew its image.[39] Among several known candidates that were officially announced or rumoured to be running for party leader were Bjørnar Moxnes,[40] Mona Bjørn,[41] Asgeir Drugli, Mimir Kristjansson, and Ingeborg Steinholt.[42]

Thomassen (2010–2012)

Turid Thomassen was voted in as party leader of Red in May 2010. Thomassen has long experience from both the Workers' Communist Party and the Red Electoral Alliance. The former leader of Red Youth (2004–2006), Bjørnar Moxnes, became deputy leader.

Moxnes (2012–2023)
Bjørnar Moxnes, led the Red Party from 2012-2023

Bjørnar Moxnes was elected party leader in May 2012. During Moxnes' leadership, the party has increased its vote share severalfold. The party first broke Norway's 4% election threshold in the 2021 parliamentary elections, and entered the Storting with 4,7% and 8 deputies. The party subsequently grew in polls, reaching 10,3% and placing third in a nationwide poll conducted in February 2022[43] in its highest poll result to date.

On July 24, 2023, Moxnes stepped down as party leader. This happened shortly after he stole sunglasses from the Oslo airport duty free shop. He claims that it happened by accident. Prior to the national convention in 2024, Marie Sneve Martinussen will take his place.[44]

Youth programs
Main article: Red Youth (Norway)

The party's youth wing is Red Youth, which was founded in 1963, preceding the foundations of the Red Electoral Alliance and the Workers' Communist Party. The current leader of the youth wing is Alberte Bekkhus. Red Youth was highly supportive of the merging of the Red Electoral Alliance and the Communist Party, with Sandra Johansen, leader of Red Youth in Brønnøysund, claiming "it to have been difficult to be a youth party under two different parent parties".[45]

Former Deputy Leader of the Red Electoral Alliance Marte Mjøs Persen left the party, believing there was a big generational gap between the older and younger members of Red. She further claimed that only the older members, who have their origins from the foundation of the Red Electoral Alliance and the Workers' Communist Party, controlled the party. Persen's statements were met with a positive response by fellow party members and outsiders. Mathias Furevik, who had served as Dahle's campaign manager, agreed with her accusations. Bergen City Council representative, Stine Akre, reluctantly agreed with Persen's accusations and said: "Red is now a party for middle-aged men, and has not been able to get rid of the generation gap. It also means that many younger people will get burned out before they move the party's direction." Persen shortly after joined the Labour Party.[46]

Electoral results

In the 2007 Norwegian local elections, the Red Party won 2.1% of the votes.[47] After the 2007 county elections, Knut Henning Thygesen became the party's first and only mayor elected through a direct mayor election in the municipality of Risør.[48]

In the 2009 Norwegian parliamentary election, the result was 1.3% of votes, giving the party no seats in the parliament. The party came closest to winning a seat in Oslo, where it took nearly 4% of the vote.[10] In 2009, electoral researcher Bernt Aardal commented that the Red Party would have won a single seat in Oslo during the 2009 elections had it not been for the fact that the voting system is designed to ensure that more MPs come from rural areas.[49]

In the 2011 Norwegian local elections, the party won 1.7% of the votes. The Oslo constituency was considered to be where the party had its best chance of gaining a seat in the 2013 Norwegian parliamentary election but failed to win any seats. In the 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election, the party broke through in Oslo, with party leader Moxnes being elected for the first time.

In the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, the Red Party achieved 4.6% of votes and secured eight (8) seats in parliament, its largest share of the vote—and its largest parliamentary representation—to date.[17]

Parliamentary elections
Storting
Date Votes Seats Position Size
No. % ± pp No. ±
2009 36,219 1.3 New
0 / 169
 New Extra-parliamentary 8th
2013 30,751 1.1 Decrease 0.2
0 / 169
 Steady 0 Extra-parliamentary Decrease 9th
2017 70,522 2.4 Increase 1.3
1 / 169
 Increase 1 Opposition Steady 9th
2021 135,574 4.7 Increase 2.3
8 / 169
 Increase 7 Opposition Increase 6th

Local elections
Local councils
Year Vote % Type
2007 1.9
2.1		 Municipal
County
2011 1.5
1.7		 Municipal
County
2015 2.0
2.2		 Municipal
County
2019 3.8
3.9		 Municipal
County

Party leaders
No. Portrait LeaderTook officeLeft officeTime in office
1
Torstein Dahle
Torstein DahleFebruary 200730 May 20103 years, 118 days
2
Turid Thomassen
Turid Thomassen30 May 20106 May 20121 year, 342 days
3
Bjørnar Moxnes
Bjørnar Moxnes6 May 201224 July 202311 years, 79 days
4
Marie Sneve Martinussen
Marie Sneve Martinussen
Acting		24 July 2023Incumbent92 days

References
  1. "Ny medlemsrekord i Rødt". Rødt (in Norwegian).
  2. "Nordic Green Left | Nordic cooperation".
  3. Nordsieck, Wolfram (2017). "Norway". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  4. Björk, Tord (12 January 2019). "How Integrity Initiative and Atlantic Council is exposed in Norway". Steigan.no. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  5. Youth Quotas and other Efficient Forms of Youth Participation in Ageing Societies. Chapter author – Petter Haakenstad (P.H.) Godli. Book edited by – Jörg Tremmel, Antony Mason, Petter Haakenstad Godli and Igor Dimitrijoski. P.169. Published in 2015. Published by Springer. Published in Oslo, Norway.
  6. "Norway – Political parties". Norsk Senter For Forskningsdata. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  7. Fossum, John (4 February 2009). "Norway's European Conundrum" (PDF). Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  8. "Moxnes ny partileder i Rødt". NRK/NTB (in Norwegian). 6 May 2012.
  9. "Rødts historie". TV 2. 19 February 2009.
  10. "Rødt". Store Norske Leksikon, 10 September 2013 (in Norwegian)
  11. Kirk, Lisbeth (12 September 2017). "Norway populists secure second term in government". EUobserver. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  12. "Rødt – Fordi fellesskap fungerer". xn—rdt-0na.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  13. Jan-Arve Overland; Inga Berntsen Rudi; Ragnhild Tønnessen. "Hva står de politiske partiene for?". Nasjonal digital læringsarena (in Norwegian).
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  15. Fossum, John (4 February 2009). "Norway's European Conundrum" (PDF). Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  16. Knudsen, Camilla; Solsvik, Terje (23 August 2017). "Pick your kingmaker: Small parties loom large in Norway's election". Reuters. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
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  18. Hellesnes, Pål (12 September 2009). "Dette står det om". Klassekampen (in Norwegian). p. 6.
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  25. Moxnes, Bjørnar (27 August 2012). "Et sosialistisk folkestyre". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 19 October 2021.
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  30. "Rødt – rett og slett". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). 11 March 2007. p. 11.
  31. "Nytt parti på venstresida!". Dagsavisen (in Norwegian). 21 March 2007. p. 30.
  32. Nordstoga, Anders (7 March 2007). "Rødt skal fylle tomrommet på venstresiden". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
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  44. "Bjørnar Moxnes går av som Rødt-leder – sier han tok solbrillene". NRK (in Norwegian). 24 July 2023.
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