Det Norske Arbeiderparti

Det Norske Arbeiderparti (DNA), the Norwegian Labour Party, was started in 1887, and has been Norway's largest political party since 1927. The last few years the party has been sharing this position on and off with Fremskrittspartiet, Høyre[?] and Sosialistisk Venstreparti[?] in polls, but has managed to keep its lead in elections. The party experienced a split in 1921 caused by a decision made two years earlier to join the Communist International. In 1923 the party left the Communist International and in 1927 Labour was once again united. The first labour government was formed in 1928, lasting only two weeks. During the early 1930s Labour abandoned its revolutionary profile and set for a reformist course. Labour then returned to government in 1935 and remained in power until 1965 (except for the exile period between 1940-1945). Other periods in government have been 1971-1972, 1973-1981, 1986-1989 ,1990-1997 and 2000-2001. It has been in power most of this time and is largely to be credited for building the welfare state in Norway.

DNA is a social democratic party committed to liberty, democracy and social justice. It is a reformist party that believes in partnership and cooperation on national as well as international level. After the elections in 2001 the party is the largest opposition party, with 43 seats in the Parliament.

Former party leader and Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland is now stepping down from the position as chairman of the WHO after 5 years. She is one of Norway's most renowned politicians, both at home and abroad.

Party leaders since 1945

• Einar Gerhardsen; (1945-1965)
• Trygve Bratteli; (1965-1975)
• Reiulf Steen[?]; (1975-(1981)
• Gro Harlem Brundtland; (1981-1992)
• Thorbjørn Jagland; (1992-2002)
• Jens Stoltenberg; (2002-?)

Labour Prime Ministers since 1945

• Einar Gerhardsen; (1945-1951)
• Oscar Torp; (1951-1955)
• Einar Gerhardsen; (1955-1965)
• Trygve Bratteli; (1971-1972)
• Trygve Bratteli; (1973-1976)
• Odvar Nordli; (1976-1981)
• Gro Harlem Brundtland; (1981)
• Gro Harlem Brundtland; (1986-1989)
• Gro Harlem Brundtland; (1990-1996)
• Thorbjørn Jagland; (1996-1997)
• Jens Stoltenberg; (2000-2001)