Former Norwegian prime minister Lars Korvald died early on Tuesday aged 90, his Christian Democratic party announced.
Korvald served as the party’s first prime minister in a centrist coalition government with the Centre Party and the Liberal Party between October 1972 and October 1973.
The short-lived government was propelled into office after a Labour Party government led by Trygve Bratteli resigned over the outcome of a European Community (EC) referendum.
Norwegians had rejected membership of the EC, the predecessor of the European Union.
Korvald, and most of the Christian Democratic leadership, were opposed to joining the EC, said current party leader Dagfinn Hoybraten in an obituary.
Korvald served 20 years in Parliament from 1961 to 1981, and was parliamentary group leader for his party from 1965.
He was elected party leader from 1967 to 1975 and from 1977 to 1979.
On assuming the post of prime minister, Korvald named Kjell Magne Bondevik — a future prime minister and Christian Democratic leader — state secretary. — Sapa-dpa