# Finnmark County Municipality

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).

### 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. Here is a list of people who have held this position:
* 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)

### 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. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Finnmark fylkesting 2024–2027 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
| Note: From 2020-2024, Troms county was part of Troms og Finnmark county. |||
Finnmark fylkesting 2015–2019 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
| Note: From 2020-2024, Troms county was part of Troms og Finnmark county. |||
Finnmark fylkesting 2011–2015 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 2007–2011 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 2003–2007 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 1999–2003 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 1995–1999 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 1991–1995 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 1987–1991 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 1983–1987 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 1979–1983 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | Total number of members: | 35 |
Finnmark fylkesting 1975–1979 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | 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: | 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. |||