Gerhardsen, Ex-Norwegian Leader, Dies
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OSLO — Einar Gerhardsen, the former Norwegian prime minister who led his country though postwar reconstruction and played a key role in crafting its welfare state system, died here Saturday. He was 90.
Gerhardsen, who served as prime minister from 1945 to 1951 and again from 1955 to 1965, was credited with creating the political consensus that established a minimum pension system for all retirees, free hospital treatment and drastically improved unemployment compensation.
Under his leadership, the government helped rebuild cities leveled during World War II and worked to establish strong ties with foreign countries. Gerhardsen brought Norway into NATO in 1949.
Gerhardsen retired from politics in 1972 after Norwegians voted in a referendum against joining the European Economic Community.
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