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Norway's European Crossroads

A pivotal moment in national history: The 1972 decision on European Community membership.

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The Referendum Context

A Nation Divided

On 25 September 1972, Norway held a referendum on whether to join the European Community (EC). This vote followed a period of intense national debate, deeply dividing the country over the implications of membership for sovereignty, economy, and national identity.

The Outcome

The "no" side ultimately prevailed, with 53.5% of the vote rejecting membership. This outcome led to the resignation of Prime Minister Trygve Bratteli, who had been a prominent advocate for joining the EC. This marked Norway's first national referendum on EC membership, though it had previously faced accession hurdles, including a French veto in 1963 and a temporary setback in 1967.

Political Landscape

The referendum was a significant event in Norwegian political history, influencing party alignments and public discourse for years. The broader political context of Norway is often detailed in resources like the "Politics of Norway" sidebar found on related Wikipedia pages, which typically covers the constitution, government structure, parliament, elections, and foreign relations.

Key Endorsements

Vote Against EF

A broad coalition of organizations campaigned against membership, emphasizing concerns about national sovereignty and the impact on Norwegian industries and culture.

  • Workers' Youth League
  • Det Norske Samlaget
  • En verdens ungdom
  • Fjordfisk
  • Folkereisning mot krig
  • Forbundet Mot Rusgift
  • Hordafisk
  • Hรฅbrann Fiskernes Salgslag
  • Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Norway
  • Young Communist League of Norway
  • Young Christian Democrats (Norway)
  • Kristent Fredslag
  • Landbrukets Sentralforbund
  • Noregs LรฆrarMรฅllag
  • Noregs Mรฅllag
  • Noregs Ungdomslag
  • Norges Bygdekvinnelag
  • Norwegian Agrarian Association
  • Norges Bygdeungdomslag
  • Norges Fiskarlag
  • Norges Godtemplar Ungdomsforbund
  • Norges Gymnasiastsamband
  • Norges Kjรธtt- og Fleskesentral
  • Communist Party of Norway
  • Norges Levendefisklag
  • Liberal Students of Norway
  • Norges Makrellag
  • Norges Rรฅfisklag
  • Young Liberals of Norway
  • Norwegian Union of General Workers
  • Norsk Bonde- og Smรฅbrukarlag Kvinnegrupper
  • Norwegian Poultry Association
  • Norsk Gartnerforbund
  • Norwegian Graphical Union
  • Norsk Grรธnnakdyrker Lag
  • Norwegian Union of Iron and Metalworkers
  • Norsk Kvinneforbund
  • Norsk kvinneparti
  • Norsk Mรฅlungdom
  • Norsk Planteskolelag
  • Norsk Psykologforening
  • Norsk Sosionomforbund (1959-ukjent)
  • Norsk Studentunion
  • Norwegian Transport Workers' Union
  • Noregs Ungdomslag
  • Norske Melkeprodusenters Landsforbund
  • Rogaland Fiskerslag
  • Senterkvinnene
  • Centre Party (Norway)
  • Senterpartiets studieforbund
  • Centre Youth
  • Skagerakfisk
  • Sogn og Fjordane Fiskesalslag
  • Socialist People's Party
  • Sosialistiske legers forening
  • Sunnmรธre og Romsdal Fiskesalslag
  • Unge Kunstneres Samfund

Vote For EF

Supporters of EC membership, including many in government and business, argued for the economic benefits and increased influence within Europe.

  • Gullsmedfagets Rasjonaliseringsselskap
  • Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union
  • Norwegian Conservative Party's Women's Association
  • Conservative Party
  • Kortevare- og Leketรธygrossitenes Landsforening
  • Kosmetikkleverandรธrenes forening
  • Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions
  • Libertas
  • Lรฆrvarehandlernes Landsforening
  • Malermestrenes Landsforbund
  • Mineralvannsfabrikkenes Landsforening
  • Mรธbelprodusentenes Landsforening
  • Nordic Group
  • Norges Sildesalgslag
  • Norwegian Motor Trade Association
  • Norwegian Export Council
  • Norges Farvehandlerforbund
  • Norges Ferskfiskeomsetnings Landsforening
  • Norges Glass- og Stentรธihandleres Forbund
  • Norges Gullsmedforbund
  • Union of Employees in Commerce and Offices
  • Norges Handelsstands Forbund
  • Federation of Norwegian Industries (1919โ€“1989)
  • Norges dagligvareforbund
  • Conservative Students' Association (Oslo)
  • Norwegian Shipowners' Association
  • Norges Skipsfรธrerforbund
  • Norsk Elektroteknisk Forening
  • Norske Fiskerprodusenters Forening
  • Norske Forsikringselskerps forbund
  • Norske hรฅnverks- og Industribedrifters Forbund
  • Norske Papirhandlers Landsforbund
  • Norske Svovelkisprodusenters Forening
  • Parfymehandlernes Landsforbund
  • Polyteknisk Forenings Gruppe for Bedriftsledelse
  • Redernes Arbeidsgiverforening
  • Skibsfartens Arbeidsgiverforening
  • Skogbruksforeningen av 1950
  • Statstjenestemannskartellet
  • Norwegian Young Conservatives

Referendum Results

National Outcome

The referendum saw a high turnout, with a clear majority voting against membership in the European Community.

Choice Votes %
For 971,687 46.49%
Against 1,118,281 53.51%
Total Valid Votes 2,089,968 100.00%

Turnout and Validity

The referendum engaged a significant portion of the electorate, reflecting the importance of the decision.

Metric Value
Registered Voters 2,680,907
Total Votes Cast 2,096,356
Turnout 78.20%
Invalid/Blank Votes 6,388 (0.30%)

Results by Constituency

Regional Variations

The results of the referendum showed significant regional differences. While the national outcome was a rejection of EC membership, support varied considerably across Norway's constituencies. The accompanying map visually represents these geographical patterns, highlighting areas with higher 'Yes' or 'No' votes.

Results by Constituency
Constituency Electorate Spoilt Votes Total Poll (%) For (%) Against (%)
ร˜stfold 152,837 392 80% 49% 51%
Akershus 217,851 542 83% 57% 43%
Oslo 356,153 619 82% 67% 33%
Hedmark 124,960 519 80% 44% 56%
Oppland 120,082 314 79% 40% 60%
Buskerud 139,999 400 79% 54% 46%
Vestfold 155,338 247 79% 57% 43%
Telemark 108,485 211 78% 38% 62%
Aust-Agder 55,276 138 74% 46% 54%
Vest-Agder 81,707 177 79% 43% 57%
Rogaland 174,925 309 79% 45% 55%
Hordaland 248,675 511 80% 49% 51%
Sogn og Fjordane 67,335 153 77% 31% 69%
Mรธre og Romsdal 146,917 240 78% 29% 71%
Sรธr-Trรธndelag 159,730 248 77% 42% 58%
Nord-Trรธndelag 77,954 107 78% 32% 68%
Nordland 157,183 549 77% 27% 73%
Troms 88,174 385 76% 30% 70%
Finnmark 47,326 327 76% 30% 70%

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the 1972 Norwegian European Communities membership referendum Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website regarding political events, historical context, or referendum outcomes is for general knowledge and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute political, historical, or legal consultation. Always consult with qualified experts and primary sources for definitive analysis and decision-making.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.