Since 1963, the county mayor (Norwegian: fylkesordfører) of Finnmark has been the political leader of the county and the chairperson of the county council. Prior to 1963, the County governor led the council which was made up of all of the mayors of the rural municipalities within the county.[2] Here is a list of people who have held this position:[3]
The county council (Norwegian: Fylkestinget) is made up of 35 representatives that are elected by direct election by all legal residents of the county every fourth year. The council is the legislative body for the county. The county council typically meets about six times a year. Council members are divided into standing committees and an executive committee (fylkesutvalg), which meet considerably more often.
Both the council and executive committee (with at least 5 members) are led by the county mayor (Norwegian: fylkesordfører). The executive committee carries out the executive funitons of the county under the direction of the whole council.[1][5] The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Note: Prior to 1975, the county councils were not directly elected. Instead, members were chosen by each municipal council within the county - oftentimes it was the municipal mayors who were selected to be on the county council.