The Democrats in Norway (Norwegian: Demokratene i Norge, DEM), formerly and commonly known as the Democrats, are a Norwegian political party. The party was established in 2002, chiefly by former members of the Progress Party. Its current leader is Kjell Arne Sellæg, who succeeded Vidar Kleppe, a former Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament for the Progress Party. The party advocates a more restrictive immigration policy, tougher law and order measures, improved health care and reduction of taxes. The party considers its values to be based on Christianity and Norwegian heritage.
The party has no representation in the Norwegian Parliament, although MP Jan Simonsen (who had been elected with the Progress Party) became aligned with the party upon its creation, ending when his parliamentary term expired in 2005. The party claimed 2,000 members in 2009, and 3,000 members in 2011. As of the 2011 local elections, the party has eight representatives in five municipal councils, and one representation in a county council (Vest-Agder).
Read more about Democrats In Norway: Political Profile, Public Representation, Endorsements
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