Red Party (Norway) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Red Party Rødt Raudt
Leader	Marie Sneve Martinussen
Founded	11 March 2007; 18 years ago (2007-03-11)
Merger of	Red Electoral Alliance Workers' Communist Party
Headquarters	Dronningens Gate 22, Oslo
Youth wing	Red Youth
Membership (2022)	14,215
Ideology	Democratic socialism Marxism Communism (factions) Revolutionary socialism
Political position	Left-wing to far-left
Nordic affiliation	Nordic Green Left Alliance
Colours	Red
Slogan	"Fordi fellesskap fungerer" ("Because community works")
Storting	8 / 169
County Councils	20 / 574
Municipal Councils	192 / 9,344

The Red Party (called Rødt in Norwegian) is a political party in Norway. It started in March 2007. This happened when two older groups, the Red Electoral Alliance and the Workers' Communist Party, joined together.

The Red Party is known for its Marxist ideas. It is seen as a left-wing to far-left party. Its main goal is to create a classless society. This is what Karl Marx called communism. The party also wants to replace capitalism with socialism. They believe in a strong public sector and that big companies should be owned by the country.

The Red Party has a revolutionary socialist idea. This means they want new laws to help workers gain power. However, they do not support violent actions. They are strongly against Norway joining the European Union.

The Red Party has 20 members in county councils across Norway. They also have 193 members in local city councils. In the 2013 election, they did not win any seats in Parliament. But in the 2017 election, they won their first seat ever. This was a big step for them. In the 2021 election, they had their best result. They won 4.6% of the votes and secured eight seats in Parliament.

What the Red Party Believes In

The Red Party is a democratic socialist, Marxist, and communist political group. They believe that unfair differences in society and money are a big problem. These problems, they say, hurt democracy, welfare, and our future. The party thinks that neoliberal capitalism causes these issues. Because of this, they are against capitalism.

The Red Party is similar to other left-wing parties in Europe. Examples include the Red–Green Alliance in Denmark.

Helping People and the Environment

The Red Party wants to build a society based on equality. They believe in human rights, helping each other, and accepting everyone. A main goal is to create a place where everyone can take part in politics equally. They think this can only happen by getting rid of capitalism. They also blame capitalism for harming nature. They want an economy that respects nature's limits.

The party supports the LGBT+ community. They also believe in feminism and fighting racism. They want to introduce a third legal gender.

Money and Welfare

The party strongly supports the Nordic model. This model focuses on community solutions. They believe it has created good living standards. The party supports Norway's current welfare state. They want high taxes on rich people. This helps to reduce money differences in Norway.

Storting member Mimir Kristjansson said that right-wing parties want to break down the welfare state. He believes socialist parties must protect the welfare model for the poor.

The Red Party has worked hard against what they call "welfare profiteers." These are private groups that make money from public services like kindergartens. The party argues this can lead to lower pay for workers.

Views on Democracy

The party believes capitalism is not democratic. They say that a small group of rich people control big banks and companies. They also decide how these organizations are run. The Red Party wants to bring more democracy into workplaces.

The party's mention of communism has caused some debate. In 2012, party leader Moxnes said that free speech, free elections, and independent courts are key for a socialist society. The party is committed to communism. But they also want to make democratic systems stronger.

How They See the World

The Red Party believes in international cooperation. They often ask for support for those who suffer from unfair competition, climate change, and war. They see this international help as a core part of the labor movement.

The party is against the European Union. They want to replace the current trade agreement. They worry about unfair working conditions and losing Norway's independence. The party also supports Norway leaving NATO. But they see this as less urgent than joining another Nordic alliance.

The party has clearly supported Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They also support recognizing Palestine as a state.

History of the Red Party

How it Started (2007)

The Red Party began on March 7, 2007. It was formed by joining the Red Electoral Alliance and the Workers' Communist Party. These two groups had a shared history. The Workers' Communist Party created the Red Electoral Alliance to promote communist ideas.

Before the merger, some members wanted to remove any mention of communism from the new party's plan. A secret meeting was held on March 5. Most members voted to merge the parties. The Workers' Communist Party officially ended in April 2007.

At its first meeting, the party considered three names: Red Choice, Solidarity, and Red Cloth. When it started, the party wanted to fill a gap in Norwegian politics. Torstein Dahle said they would focus on issues that most Norwegians agreed on.

Dahle's Time as Leader (2007–2010)

Dahle, the first leader of the Red Party

Torstein Dahle was chosen as the first leader in February 2007. This choice was criticized by some. They felt Dahle would not bring the party in a "new direction." Ingrid Baltzersen, the former leader of the Workers' Communist Party, became his deputy.

In July 2007, Dahle caused a stir. He said that Afghan rebels had the right to fight Norwegian soldiers. This happened after a Norwegian soldier died in Afghanistan. Dahle later clarified that he did not support the death of Norwegian soldiers.

For the 2007 Norwegian local elections, the party hoped to win in three towns. However, they had to use the old name, Red Electoral Alliance. This was because their new name was not yet approved.

A researcher named Bernt Aardal thought the Red Party could win votes from the Socialist Left Party. This was because the Socialist Left Party had joined a ruling group. This meant they had to make compromises.

After a difficult election, a leading figure, Trond Andresen, resigned. He said the party was struggling. He believed it needed to change its image.

Thomassen's Time as Leader (2010–2012)

Turid Thomassen became the leader of the Red Party in May 2010. She had much experience from both older parties. Bjørnar Moxnes, a former leader of Red Youth, became her deputy.

Moxnes's Time as Leader (2012–2023)

Bjørnar Moxnes was elected party leader in May 2012. Under his leadership, the party grew a lot. In the 2021 elections, the party passed Norway's 4% election rule. They entered the Storting with 4.7% of the votes and 8 members. The party continued to grow in popularity. In February 2022, they reached 10.3% in a national poll. This was their highest result ever.

Marie Sneve Martinussen (left) with former leader Bjørnar Moxnes (right)

On July 24, 2023, Moxnes stepped down as party leader. This happened after an incident at an airport shop. He said it was an accident. After he stepped down, some people said Moxnes helped make the party more accepted.

Sneve Martinussen's Leadership (2023–Present)

Marie Sneve Martinussen has been the party's acting leader since July 2023. In April 2024, a group suggested she become the permanent leader. This will be voted on in May 2024. She was a deputy leader since 2012. Experts believe she will continue the party's current plans.

Her time as leader has focused on making the party more appealing. She also wants to "restore trust in democracy."

Youth Group

The party's youth group is called Red Youth. It started in 1963. This was even before the Red Electoral Alliance and Workers' Communist Party were formed. The current leader of Red Youth is Alberte Bekkhus. Red Youth strongly supported the merger of the two older parties.

Some members felt there was a gap between older and younger members. Marte Mjøs Persen, a former deputy leader, left the party. She felt that only older members controlled the party. Her comments were met with agreement from others. Stine Akre, a city council member, said the Red Party was becoming a party for middle-aged men. She felt it was not attracting younger people. Persen later joined the Labour Party.

Election Results

In the 2007 Norwegian local elections, the Red Party won 2.1% of the votes. After these elections, Knut Henning Thygesen became the party's first mayor. He was elected in Risør.

In the 2009 Norwegian parliamentary election, the party got 1.3% of the votes. This meant they won no seats in Parliament. They came closest to winning a seat in Oslo. There, they got almost 4% of the vote.

In the 2011 Norwegian local elections, the party won 1.7% of the votes. In the 2013 Norwegian parliamentary election, they again failed to win any seats. But in the 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election, the party finally won a seat in Oslo. Party leader Moxnes was elected for the first time.

In the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, the Red Party had its best result. They won 4.6% of the votes. This secured them eight seats in Parliament. It was their largest share of votes and most seats ever.

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	0.2	0 / 169	0	Extra-parliamentary	9th
2017	70,522	2.4	1.3	1 / 169	1	Opposition	9th
2021	135,574	4.7	2.3	8 / 169	7	Opposition	6th

Local Elections

Party Meetings

Party Leaders

No.	Portrait	Leader	Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Torstein Dahle	February 2007	May 30, 2010	3 years, 118 days
2		Turid Thomassen	May 30, 2010	May 6, 2012	1 year, 342 days
3		Bjørnar Moxnes	May 6, 2012	July 24, 2023	11 years, 79 days
4		Marie Sneve Martinussen	July 24, 2023	Incumbent	1 year, 331 days

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See also

In Spanish: Partido Rojo para niños