Inclusion and mainstreaming?: Radical right-wing populist parties in the new millennium

Abstract

This chapter sketches the general electoral and ideological evolution of the FrP, including its origin as an anti-tax revolt, gradual transformation to a more clear-cut radical right-wing populist party followed by a profound party crisis, and recent developments towards a junior partner in a right-wing governing coalition. It considers the degree to which the FrP has moved into the mainstream by assessing party change along four key dimensions: programmatic scope, ideological position on niche issues, anti-establishment orientation and behaviour, and linkages to right-wing extremism. The chapter interprets the findings in light of changing goals and priorities by the party leadership. Finally, the chapter discusses how these goals have been informed by internal and external constraints and opportunities. Like most other radical right-wing populist parties in Western Europe, the Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet, FrP) in Norway was initially dismissed as a short-lived vehicle of protest, and as a single-issue-oriented, ideologically extreme, and un-coalition able party.