Odvar Nordli (;3 November 1927 – 9 January 2018) was a Norwegian politician from the Labour Party. He was the prime minister of Norway from 1976 to 1981. Before serving as prime minister, Nordli served as the minister of local government from 1971 to 1972.
After serving as prime minister, Nordli served as the vice president of the Storting from 1981 until 1985, and was also a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 1985 until 1996.
Early life
The son of a railroad worker, Eugen Nordli (1904–1992) and housewife Marie (1902–1984), ( Jørgensen), Nordli grew up in Tangen in Stange Municipality in Hedmark county. After World War II he served in the Independent Norwegian Brigade Group in Germany, part of the Allied forces occupying post-war Germany.
In social policy, Nordli's premiership in 1978 saw improved sickness benefits to 100% wage compensation from day one of sickness for up to 52 weeks. The same year the Abortion Act of 1975 was liberalized and women were granted the right to decide on their own to have an abortion until the end of week 12 after gestation.
The Nordli cabinet under Minister of Finance Per Kleppe continued a Keynesian fiscal policy with deficit spending where Norway loaned abroad against future oil income.
As for foreign relations during the Nordli premiership, Norway established a 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone in 1977 where Norway claimed exclusive rights to marine resources. This caused complications with the Soviet Union that also had a 200 nm fishery zone.
The 1977 Norwegian parliamentary election less than a year into Nordli's premiership was a success for Nordli and the Labour Party which continued in position, but the 1979 Norwegian local elections was a set-back, partly due to the economic situation and it weakened Nordli's position.
Later career
thumb|right|200px|Nordli in April 2007, aged around 80-81
After retiring as prime minister in 1981, he was elected vice president of the Storting. He served as vice president until 1985. They married in 1953, had two daughters and lived in Stange until their respective deaths in 2010 and 2018.
Nordli died on 9 January 2018 of prostate cancer in Oslo at the age of 90. His state funeral was held on 19 January 2018.
Awards
- Commander of the Order of St. Olav (1994)
- Min vei, Tiden, 1985
- Vi så kornmoglansen, Tiden, 1994