Lars Korvald (29 April 1916 - 4 July 2006) was a Norwegian politician from the Christian Democratic Party. He was Prime Minister of Norway from 1972 to 1973, leading the cabinet that took over when Trygve Bratteli resigned in the wake of the first referendum over Norway's membership in the European Economic Community.

Early life and career

Lars Korvald was born into a traditional Christian family in Mjøndalen. He attended the Norwegian College of Agriculture, graduating in 1943. He started out at the faculty of Tomb Agricultural School in Råde, where he rose to become rector in 1952.

He was an honorary member of the Norwegian Young Christian Democrats.

Parliamentary career

He was first elected to the Parliament of Norway in 1961 representing the county of Østfold. In 1965, he was appointed parliamentary leader; and in 1967 the party leader. Altogether, Korvald served as a member of Parliament for five terms. He was President of the Lagting 1969-1972. In 1981, he retired from partisan politics and became County Governor of Østfold.

Prime minister

Korvald's cabinet served from 18 October 1972 to 16 October 1973. Though short-lived, it served as an important milestone in Norwegian politics, both because it marked the conclusion of the bitter and divisive debate over Norway's membership in the European Union, and because it was a centrist non-socialist coalition. He was also the first prime minister from his party. Korvald also proved to be an effective prime minister in a very difficult and transitional political situation. His cabinet commissioned the negotiations for a trade treaty with the European Union and instituted Norway's first petroleum policy. In addition, the Teachers’ Training Law of June 1973 was a move to raise teacher training to university status.

It was also Korvald who introduced Kjell Magne Bondevik into the national scene by appointing him political secretary to the prime minister's office.

Personal life

While serving as Prime Minister, Korvald resided in Bærum. He later resided in Moss, but in his later life he moved back to Mjøndalen.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]