V.

Government

Norway is a constitutional monarchy, with a monarch as head of state and a democratically elected government. The constitution was enacted on May 17, 1814. Although this document has been amended many times, the principal features remain unchanged.

The Norwegian monarchy is hereditary and descends to the oldest royal child. The monarch’s formal powers are nominal. The monarch makes all governmental appointments on the recommendation of the party or coalition in power, provides a dignified presence on ceremonial occasions, and presides at formal weekly meetings of the government. The monarch may not dissolve the government.

A.

Executive

Executive power is exercised by a prime minister on behalf of the monarch. The prime minister, who is formally appointed by the monarch, is usually the leader of the largest party or coalition in the parliament. The cabinet, called the Council of State, consists of the prime minister and about 19 ministers who head the chief ministries. The cabinet is collectively responsible for administration policy, although each minister retains the right of public dissent on any specific issue. Cabinet ministers must be approved by the majority party or coalition in the parliament. Ministers are entitled to take part in parliamentary debates but may not vote. Civil service posts are filled by competitive examination.

B.

Legislative

Legislative power resides with the parliament, called the Storting. It consists of 169 members elected by a system of proportional representation to four-year terms. All citizens aged 18 and older may vote in elections. At its first meeting the Storting elects roughly one-quarter of its members to an upper house, the Lagting, and the remainder to the lower house, the Odelsting. The two chambers are chosen so that the same party strength is maintained in each chamber, preserving representation of all parties based on their electoral performance.

All new bills, usually part of the cabinet’s program, are presented by a member of the Odelsting. If passed by the Odelsting, the bill is then considered by the Lagting. If the Lagting rejects the bill, the Odelsting may press for passage a second time. If the two houses still disagree, the full Storting meets and a two-thirds vote is required to pass the bill. The Storting also considers budget proposals, constitutional amendments, and important financial and political questions that are not new bills. Amendments to the constitution require approval by a two-thirds majority of the Storting in two successive sittings.

C.

Judiciary

Norway’s highest court is the Supreme Court, or Høyesterett, consisting of a president and 17 judges. Cases are heard by a panel of five justices.

Below the Supreme Court are five regional courts of appeal, the Lagmannsrett. These lower courts, which are composed of three judges each, hear both civil and criminal cases. Below the regional courts are town and district courts, each headed by a professional magistrate, who may be assisted by lay judges. Each town also has a local mediation council (forliksraad), elected by the municipal council, to settle a wide range of civil cases. If mediation fails, the case is appealed to a higher court. Apart from mediation councils, all judges are appointed by the monarch. Norway abolished capital punishment for all crimes in 1979.

D.

Local Government

Norway is divided into 19 counties (fylker), consisting of the city of Oslo and 18 large county areas. Each of the counties is governed by an elected county council. The counties are in turn divided into rural and urban districts, each of which has an elected governing council. Local governments have broad powers to collect taxes, to build schools and roads, and to provide social services. The police, however, are under the national ministry of justice.

E.

Political Parties

The Labor Party, which advocates a moderate form of socialism, has played a leading role in Norwegian politics and has governed almost continuously since 1935. Although the Labor platform has called for a planned economy and government control of major industries, Norway’s mixed economy allows for extensive private ownership of industry and capital. Other major parties include the Conservative Party, which promotes free enterprise and lower taxation; the populist, anti-immigration far-right Progress Party; the Center Party, which favors the decentralization of decision-making in Norway and is an outspoken opponent of Norway’s membership in the European Union (EU); the Christian People’s Party, a centrist, antiabortion party advocating Christian principles in politics; and the far-left Socialist Left Party. Minority parties include the center-left Liberal Party; the Coastal Party, which promotes fishing interests; and the Norwegian Communist Party.

The Norwegian Communist Party has all but disappeared in the wake of the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Consequently, electoral support for the Socialist Left Party has increased as former Communists have joined its ranks. Increased support for centrist politics in Norway has strengthened the Christian People’s Party, which has been a leading party in nonsocialist coalition governments.

F.

Social Welfare

Norway is a pioneer in social welfare legislation and today offers its citizens one of the most comprehensive systems in the world. Health insurance is mandatory for all people, with the state, the employer, and the individual all contributing to the health fund. Almost all medical care is free, including prenatal and maternity care, and free day care is available for children of working mothers. A compulsory National Pension Scheme that was put into effect in 1967 provides old-age, disability, rehabilitation, widow, widower, and other benefits, including one-year paid maternity leave and universal child support. The average pension, which begins at age 67, corresponds to about two-thirds of recipients’ earnings during their highest-paid years.

G.

Defense

The principle of universal military service has long been accepted in Norway. A 12-month term in the army or a 15-month term in the navy or air force is compulsory for all male citizens when they reach the age of 19. In 2004 the armed forces had a combined strength of 25,800 members. Most military forces are posted in the north. A home guard, with a strength of about 85,000, is trained for special tasks in local areas. Norway is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which the country joined in 1949.

H.

International Relations

Norway, like Denmark, departed from Scandinavia’s tradition of neutrality to become a member of NATO. However, Norway did not follow Denmark into the European Economic Community, now the European Union (EU). Norway helped establish the trading bloc known as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960, and today the organization serves as a platform that permits Norway and other EFTA members to trade freely with EU countries (see European Economic Area). With the other Scandinavian countries and Iceland, Norway belongs to the Nordic Council, founded in 1953 to foster economic, social, legal, and cultural cooperation. Norway is a member of the United Nations (UN) and maintains a small peacekeeping force for use under UN auspices.