The Johan Sverdrup reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Johan Sverdrup

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Johan Sverdrup (July 30, 1816 - February 17, 1892) is a Norwegian politician from the Social Liberal Party. He was the first Prime Minister of Norway after the introduction of parliamentarism. Sverdrup was Prime Minister from 1884 to 1889.

Before Sverdrup, the Prime Minsters were appointed by the King, but after Sverdrup and the Social Liberal Party forced parliamentarism through, the Prime Minsters were appointed by the majority of the Norwegian Storting. According to the Norwegian Constitution, the King still appoints the Prime Minister, but he is forced to appoint whoever is supported by the Storting.

Preceded by:
Christian Homann Schweigaard
Prime Minister of Norway Succeeded by:
Emil Stang