Parliamentary elections were held in Norway on 13 and 14 September 1981. The elections led to the end of the Labour Party minority government and the creation of a Conservative Party minority government.
The Conservative Party made the strongest gains in the election. The Labour Party remained the largest party in the Storting, winning 66 of the 155 seats.
Attempts were made to form a majority coalition government with the Conservative Party, Christian People's Party and Centre Party, but the negotiations failed. The Conservative Party subsequently formed a minority government with parliamentary support from Christian People's Party and Centre Party.
In 1983 a majority coalition government with the Christian People's Party and the Centre Party was established.
Carl I. Hagen was elected chairman on 12 February 1978 after Arve Lønnum declined to seek reelection.
After Lars Korvald declined to seek reelection, KÃÂ¥re Kristiansen was elected chairman on 21 April 1979. Despite not being a candidate, Kjell Magne Bondevik received 44 votes.