Bondevik, Kjell Magne (1947- )

Norwegian politician, prime minister 1997-2000 and 2001-05, chair of the Christian People's Party (KrF) 1983-95. He became politically active as a theology student, and was elected to parliament (the Storting) in 1973. He entered the coalition led by Kare Willoch in 1983 and was deputy prime minister 1985-86. When the Labour prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland resigned in October 1997, Bondevik accepted the monarch's invitation to form a KrF-led government. His coalition relied on the support of 42 members in the 165-member parliament.

Born in Molde, he was educated at the Free Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, and was ordained a minister in 1979.