Finnmark County Municipality

Finnmark County Municipality Finnmark fylkeskommune Finnmárkku fylkkagielda Finmarkun fylkinkomuuni
County
Coat of arms
Location in Norway
Coordinates: 70.081382°N 29.73579°E / 70.081382; 29.73579
Country	Norway
Established	1 Jan 1838
Disestablished	2020-2024
Re-established	1 Jan 2024
Administrative center	Vadsø
Government
• County mayor	Hans-Jacob Bønå
ISO 3166 code	NO-56
Website	Official website

Finnmark County Municipality (Finnmark fylkeskommune (Norwegian), Finnmárkku fylkkagielda (Northern Sami), Finmarkun fylkinkomuuni (Kven)) is the regional governing administration of Finnmark county in northern Norway. It was temporarily dissolved from 2020-2023 when Finnmark county was merged into Troms og Finnmark county, but that was undone effective 1 January 2024. The administration in the town of Vadsø and was led by a county council.

County government

The county municipality's most important tasks include secondary education, recreation (sports and outdoor life), and cultural heritage. The county municipality is also responsible for all county roads (including ferry operations) and public transport (including school busses). The county municipality has further responsibility for regional land-use planning, business development, power production, and environmental management. The county also has responsibility for providing dental health services (in 2002, responsibility for hospitals and public medicine was transferred from the counties to the new regional health authorities).[1]

County mayors

Since 1963, the county mayor (Norwegian: fylkesordfører) of Finnmark has been the political leader of the county and the chairperson of the county council. Prior to 1963, the County governor led the council which was made up of all of the mayors of the rural municipalities within the county.[2] Here is a list of people who have held this position:[3]

• 1964-1975: Henry Karlsen (Ap)
• 1975-1975: Axel Samuelsberg (Ap)
• 1976-1983: Arnulf Olsen (Ap)
• 1984-1987: Helmer Mikkelsen (Ap)
• 1986-1987: Oddny Aleksandersen - acting (Ap)
• 1988-1995: Erling Fløtten (Ap)
• 1995-2003: Evy-Ann Midttun (Ap)
• 2003-2005: Helga Pedersen (Ap)
• 2005-2007: Kirsti Saxi (SV)
• 2007-2015: Runar Sjåstad (Ap)
• 2015-2019: Ragnhild Vassvik Kalstad (Ap)
• (2020-2023: none - Finnmark was part of the Troms og Finnmark County Municipality)
• 2024-present: Kristina Torbergsen (Ap)[4]

County council

The county council (Norwegian: Fylkestinget) is made up of 35 representatives that are elected by direct election by all legal residents of the county every fourth year. The council is the legislative body for the county. The county council typically meets about six times a year. Council members are divided into standing committees and an executive committee (fylkesutvalg), which meet considerably more often.

Both the council and executive committee (with at least 5 members) are led by the county mayor (Norwegian: fylkesordfører). The executive committee carries out the executive funitons of the county under the direction of the whole council.[1][5] The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Finnmark fylkesting 2024–2027 [6]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	4
	Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	4
	Industry and Business Party (Industri‑ og Næringspartiet)	1
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Nordkalottfolket Party (Nordkalottfolket)	7
	Red Party (Rødt)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Sámi List (Samelista)	2
Total number of members:		35
Note: From 2020-2024, Troms county was part of Troms og Finnmark county.

Finnmark fylkesting 2015–2019 [7]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	17
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	4
	Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	5
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Coastal Party (Kystpartiet)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	2
Total number of members:		35
Note: From 2020-2024, Troms county was part of Troms og Finnmark county.

Finnmark fylkesting 2011–2015 [7]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	15
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	4
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	7
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Coastal Party (Kystpartiet)	2
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	1
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	2
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 2007–2011 [7]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	15
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	6
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	4
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Coastal Party (Kystpartiet)	1
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	4
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 2003–2007 [7]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	14
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	4
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	5
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Coastal Party (Kystpartiet)	1
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	5
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 1999–2003 [7][8]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	4
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	8
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	2
	Coastal Party (Kystpartiet)	1
	Sámi People's Party (Samefolkets Parti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	4
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Joint list of the Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse) and the Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 1995–1999 [7][9]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	14
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	6
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	2
	Sámi People's List (Samefolkets liste)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	4
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	4
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	3
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 1991–1995 [7][10]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	14
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	6
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	2
	Sámi People's List (Samefolkets liste)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	3
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	7
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 1987–1991 [7][11]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	18
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	2
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	6
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	2
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	1
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	3
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	2
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 1983–1987 [7][12]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	19
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	6
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	2
	Sámi People's List (Samefolkets liste)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	1
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	3
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 1979–1983 [7][13]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	16
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	8
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	3
	Sámi People's List (Samefolkets liste)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	2
Total number of members:		35

Finnmark fylkesting 1975–1979 [7][14]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	18
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	6
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	3
	Sámi People's List (Samefolkets liste)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	2
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	4
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		35
Note: Prior to 1975, the county councils were not directly elected. Instead, members were chosen by each municipal council within the county - oftentimes it was the municipal mayors who were selected to be on the county council.

References

1. Berg, Ole; Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (18 February 2024). "fylkeskommune". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
2. Granheim Trøyflat, Marianne, ed. (24 January 2022). "Fylkesørdforar". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
3. Bottolfsen, Øystein (1990). Finnmark fylkeskommunes historie 1840-1990 (in Norwegian). Vadsø: Finnmark fylkeskommune. p. 479. ISBN 8299138051.
4. "Fylkesordfører". Troms fylke (in Norwegian). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
5. Hansen, Tore, ed. (21 July 2020). "fylkesutvalg". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
6. "Fylkestingvalg 2023 - Finnmark Finnmárku". Valgdirektoratet. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
7. Tjørnhaugen, Andreas, ed. (18 September 2019). "valgresultater fylkesting 1975-2015 - Finnmark". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
8. Fylkestingsvalget 1999 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748558. ISSN 0800-9856.
9. Fylkestingsvalget 1995 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743378. ISSN 0800-9856.
10. Fylkestingsvalget 1991 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253738048. ISSN 0800-9856.
11. Fylkestingsvalget 1987 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726414.
12. Fylkestingsvalget 1983 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720564.
13. Fylkestingsvalget 1979 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1980. ISBN 8253710933.
14. Fylkestingsvalget 1975 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1976. ISBN 8253705654.