Nordic agrarian parties

These parties are non-Socialist and typically combine a commitment to small businesses, rural issues and political decentralisation, and, at times, scepticism towards the European Union.

Compared to continental Europe, the peasants in the Nordic countries historically had an unparalleled degree of political influence.

The rest of the parties emerged in the early 20th century, spurred by the introduction of universal suffrage and proportional representation across the region.

[11] In recent years, rural interest parties emerged outside of the Nordic and Baltic region, such as the Farmer–Citizen Movement in the Netherlands.

Whereas the Norwegian Centre Party and Icelandic Progressive Party are opposed to economic liberalisation,[12] the others, most notably the Danish Venstre and Swedish Centerpartiet, are pro-market and put a heavy emphasis on economic growth and productivity.

The Icelandic Progressives are also opposed to membership, while the Danish Venstre is in favour of the European Union and Denmark's entry into the Eurozone.

While originally supported by farmers, the parties have adapted to declining rural populations by diversifying their political base.