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.