Politics of Norway

Last updated

Politics of Norway

Norges politiske system (Norwegian Bokmål)
Noregs politiske system (Norwegian Nynorsk)
Coat of arms of Norway.svg
Polity type Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Constitution Constitution of Norway
Legislative branch
Name Storting
Type Unicameral
Meeting place Storting building
Presiding officer Masud Gharahkhani, President of the Storting
Executive branch
Head of state
Title Monarch
Currently Harald V
Appointer Hereditary
Head of government
Title Prime Minister
Currently Jonas Gahr Støre
Appointer Monarch
Cabinet
Name Council of State
Current cabinet Støre's Cabinet
LeaderPrime Minister
AppointerMonarch
Headquarters Government Quarter
Ministries 17
Judicial branch
Name Judiciary of Norway
Supreme Court
Chief judge Toril Marie Øie

The politics of Norway take place in the framework of a parliamentary, representative democratic constitutional monarchy. Executive power is exercised by the Council of State, the cabinet, led by the prime minister of Norway. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the legislature, the Storting, elected within a multi-party system. The judiciary is independent of the executive branch and the legislature.

Contents

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Norway a " full democracy " in 2022. [1] [ needs update ] According to the V-Dem Democracy indices Norway was 2023 the second most electoral democratic country in the world. [2] Reporters Without Borders ranked Norway 1st in the world in the 2019 Press Freedom Index. [3] Freedom House's 2020 Freedom in the World report classified Norway as "free", scoring maximum points in the categories of "political rights" and "civil liberties". [4]

Constitutional development

The Norwegian constitution, signed by the Eidsvoll assembly on 17 May 1814, transformed Norway from being an absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. The 1814 constitution granted rights such as freedom of speech (§100) and rule of law (§§ 96, 97, 99). Important amendments include:

Executive branch

Harald V has been King of Norway since 1991. The Norwegian king has mainly symbolic powers. President Medvedev with King Harald V of Norway big225593 (crop).jpg
Harald V has been King of Norway since 1991. The Norwegian king has mainly symbolic powers.
Main office-holders
OfficeNamePartySince
King Harald V 17 January 1991
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre Labour Party 14 October 2021

Norway is a constitutional monarchy, where the king has a mainly symbolic power. The royal house is a branch of the princely family of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, and the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in Germany. The functions of the king, Harald V, are mainly ceremonial, but he has influence as the symbol of national unity. Although the constitution of 1814 grants important executive powers to the king, these are always exercised by the Council of State in the name of the king (King's Council, or cabinet). The king is also High Protector of the Church of Norway (the state church), Grand Master of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, and symbolically Supreme Commander of the Norwegian armed forces.

The Council of State is formally convened by the reigning monarch. The Council of State consists of the prime minister and his or her council, formally appointed by the king. Parliamentarism has evolved since 1884 and entails that the cabinet must not have the parliament against it, and that the appointment by the king is a formality. The council must have the confidence of the Norwegian legislative body, known as the Storting. In practice, the monarch will ask the leader of a parliamentary block that has a majority in the Storting to form a government. After elections resulting in no clear majority to any party or coalition, the leader of the party most likely to be able to form a government is appointed prime minister. Since World War II, most non-socialist governments have been coalitions, and Labour Party governments have often relied on the support of other parties to retain the necessary parliamentary votes.

The executive branch is divided into the following ministries:

Governments 1935–1981

The Labour Party has been the largest party in Parliament ever since the election of 1927 up to the recent 2017 election. Labour formed their first brief minority government in 1928 which lasted for 18 days only. After the 1936 election the Labour Party formed a new minority government, which had to go into exile 1940–1945 because of the German occupation of Norway. After a brief trans-party government following the German capitulation in 1945, Labour gained a majority of the seats in parliament in the first post-war election of 1945.

Norway was ruled by Labour governments from 1945 to 1981, except for three periods (1963, 1965–1971, and 1972–1973). The Labour Party had a single party majority in the Storting from 1945 to 1961. Since then no party has single-handedly formed a majority government, hence minority and coalition governments have been the rule. After the centre-right Willoch government lost its parliamentary majority in the election of 1985, there were no majority governments in Norway until the second Stoltenberg government was formed after the 2005 election.

Governments 1981–2005

Kare Willoch (Conservative Party) was Prime Minister from 1981 until 1986. Kare Willoch 2009.jpg
Kåre Willoch (Conservative Party) was Prime Minister from 1981 until 1986.

From 1981 to 1997, governments alternated between minority Labour governments and Conservative-led centre-right governments. The centre-right governments gained power in three out of four elections during this period (1981, 1985, 1989), whereas Labour toppled those governments twice between elections (1986, 1990) and stayed in power after one election (1993). Elections take place in September and governments change in October of election years.

Conservative leader Kåre Willoch formed a minority government after the election of 1981. In 1983, midway between elections, this government was expanded to a majority three-party coalition of the Conservatives, the Centre Party and the Christian Democrats. In the election of 1985 the coalition lost its majority but stayed in office until 1986, when it stepped down after losing a parliamentary vote on petrol taxes.

Labour leader Gro Harlem Brundtland served three periods as Prime Minister. First briefly from February 1981 until the election the same year, then from May 1986 to the election of 1989, and last from November 1990 until October 1996 when she decided to step out of domestic politics. Brundtland strongly influenced Norwegian politics and society during this period and was nicknamed the "national mother".

After the election of 1989 a centre-right coalition was formed with the same three parties as in 1983–1986, this time headed by Conservative leader Jan P. Syse. This coalition governed from 1989 to November 1990 when it collapsed from inside over the issue of Norwegian membership in the European Economic Area.

Thorbjorn Jagland (Labour) was Prime Minister 1996-97. He has later become Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Thorbjorn Jagland.jpg
Thorbjørn Jagland (Labour) was Prime Minister 1996–97. He has later become Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

When Brundtland resigned in 1996, Labour leader Thorbjørn Jagland formed a new Labour government that stayed in office until October 1997 when he, after the September 1997 election, declared that his government would step down because the Labour Party failed to win at least 36.9% of the national vote – the percentage Labour had won in the 1993 election.

A three-party minority coalition of the Centre, Christian Democratic, and Liberal parties, headed by Christian Democrat Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, moved into office in October 1997. That government fell in March 2000 over the issue of proposed natural gas plants, opposed by Bondevik due to their impact on climate change.

The Labour Party's Jens Stoltenberg, a Brundtland protégé, took over in a minority Labour government but lost power in the September 2001 election when Labour posted its worst performance since World War I.

Bondevik once again became Prime Minister in 2001, this time as head of a minority coalition of the Conservatives, Christian Democrats and Liberals, a coalition dependent on support from the Progress Party. This coalition government was the first to stay in office for a complete four-year election period since Per Borten's coalition government of 1965–1969.

Cabinet 2005–2013

A coalition between the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party, and Centre Party, took over from 17 October 2005 after the 2005 general election, where this coalition obtained a majority of 87 out of 169 seats in the Storting. Jens Stoltenberg became Prime Minister and formed a cabinet known as Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet. [5]

This was a historical coalition in several aspects. It was the first time the Socialist Left sat in cabinet, the first time the Labour Party sat in a coalition government since the 1945 four-month post-war trans-party government (otherwise in government alone), and the first time the Centre Party sat in government along with socialist parties (otherwise in coalition with conservative and other centre parties).

In the 2009 general election the coalition parties kept the majority in the Storting by winning 86 out of 169 seats. [6] Stoltenberg's second cabinet thus continued. There have been several reshuffles in the cabinet during its existence.

Cabinet 2013–2021

In the 2013 election, the incumbent red–green coalition government obtained 72 seats and lost its majority. The election ended with a victory for the four opposition non-socialist parties, winning a total of 96 seats out of 169 (85 needed for a majority). [7] Following convention, Stoltenberg's government resigned and handed over power in October 2013. The Labour Party, however, remained the largest party in parliament with 30.8% of the popular vote. The Progress Party also lost ground, but nevertheless participates in the new cabinet led by Conservative Prime Minister Erna Solberg. [8] Among the smaller parties, the centrist Liberal Party and Christian Peoples Party hold the balance of power. Both campaigned on a change in government. On 30 September the two smaller parties announced that they would support a minority coalition of the Conservative and Progress parties, but they would not take seats in the cabinet themselves. The new Erna Solberg government was re-elected in 2017. [9] In January 2020, right-wing Progress Party left the government. Prime Minister Erna Solberg continued with a minority government consisting of three coalition partners — her own Conservatives, the centrist Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats. [10]

Current cabinet

In the 2021 election, the incumbent Solberg cabinet lost its majority. [11] Jonas Gahr Støre of the Labour Party formed a minority coalition government with the Centre Party. The government relies on the support of the Socialist Left Party in order to secure a majority. On 14 October 2021, Jonas Gahr Støre, the leader of Norway's center-left Labor Party, was sworn in as new Prime Minister of Norway. His center-left minority government included ten women and nine men. [12]

See also the category Norwegian politicians and list of Norwegian governments.

Legislative branch

Norway has a unicameral parliament, the Storting ("Great Council"), with members elected by popular vote for a four-year term (during which it may not be dissolved) by proportional representation in multi-member constituencies. Voting rights are granted in the year a person turns 18.

Stortinget, Oslo Storting Spring 2016.JPG
Stortinget, Oslo

The Storting currently has 169 members (increased from 165, effective from the elections of 12 September 2005). The members are elected from the 19 counties for four-year terms according to a system of proportional representation. Until 2009, the Storting divided itself into two chambers, the Odelsting and the Lagting for the sole purpose of voting on legislation. Laws were proposed by the government through a member of the Council of State or by a member of the Odelsting and decided on by the Odelsting and Lagting, in case of repeated disagreement by the joint Storting. In practice, the Lagting rarely disagreed and mainly just rubber-stamped the Odelsting's decision. In February 2007, the Storting passed a constitutional amendment to repeal the division, which abolished the Lagting for the 2009 general election, thereby establishing a fully unicameral system. [13]

Political parties and elections

Distribution of seats after the 2021 election:
.mw-parser-output figure[typeof="mw:File/Thumb"] .image-key>ol{margin-left:1.3em;margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output figure[typeof="mw:File/Thumb"] .image-key>ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output figure[typeof="mw:File/Thumb"] .image-key li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}@media(min-width:300px){.mw-parser-output figure[typeof="mw:File/Thumb"] .image-key,.mw-parser-output figure[typeof="mw:File/Thumb"] .image-key-wide{column-count:2}.mw-parser-output figure[typeof="mw:File/Thumb"] .image-key-narrow{column-count:1}}@media(min-width:450px){.mw-parser-output figure[typeof="mw:File/Thumb"] .image-key-wide{column-count:3}}
.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Red Party (8)
Socialist Left Party (13)
Labour Party (48)
Centre Party (28)
Patient Focus (1)
Green Party (3)
Liberal Party (8)
Christian Democratic Party (3)
Conservative Party (36)
Progress Party (21) Norway Storting 2021.svg
Distribution of seats after the 2021 election:

Elections are to be held every four years on the second Monday of September.

Judicial branch

The Norwegian legal system is a mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; the Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.

The regular courts include the Supreme Court (Høyesterett) with 18 permanent judges and a president, courts of appeal (court of second instance in most cases), city and county courts (court of first instance in most cases), and conciliation councils (court of first instance in most civil-code cases). Judges attached to the regular courts are appointed by the King in council after nomination by the Ministry of Justice.

The special High Court of the Realm (Riksrett) hears impeachment cases against members of the government, parliament, or Supreme Court. Following an amendment to the Norwegian constitution in February 2007, impeachment cases are heard by the five highest ranking Supreme Court justices and six lay members in one of the Supreme Court courtrooms The High Court of the Realm had generally lost most of its significance after 1884, and this institution has been passive ever since 1927. The new system is meant to restore the Riksrett to its earlier significance.

Impeachment

Impeachment may be brought against Members of the Council of State, or of the Supreme Court or of the Storting, for criminal offenses which they may have committed in their official capacity. Indictments are raised by the Storting and judged by five Supreme Court justices and six lay judges.

Administrative divisions

Civil Servant Recruitment Procedure:

-      Public Advertisement of Positions: All civil service positions are required to be advertised publicly, as mandated by the Civil Service Act, Section 4. [14] Exceptions to this requirement are limited and must be legally justified, such as temporary positions lasting up to six months or specific cases outlined in collective agreements.

-      Qualification Principle: Central to the hiring process is the qualification principle, stipulated in Section 3 of the Civil Service Act. [14] This principle mandates that the candidate with the best overall qualifications—considering education, experience, and personal suitability—be selected for the position. The criteria specified in the job posting serve as the basis for evaluating applicants.

-      Transparency and Appeals: The process emphasizes transparency, allowing applicants to access information about other candidates, such as names, ages, and qualifications. While direct appeals against hiring decisions are generally not permitted, applicants who believe procedural errors occurred can bring their concerns to the employer or relevant authorities. Additionally, cases involving potential discrimination can be addressed by the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud. [15]

Public Workforce Composition

According to the OECD's Government at a Glance report, in 2021, the size of general government employment accounted for 30.92% of Norway's total workforce, the highest proportion among OECD countries. Sweden followed with 29.27%, while Denmark and Finland reported similarly high shares at 28.04% and 25.41%, respectively. In contrast, South Korea and Japan had the lowest levels of general government employment among OECD countries, with government employment comprising only 8.83% and 4.55% of total employment, respectively. [16]

Regarding gender representation, in 2020, Norway had the third-highest share of women in public sector employment among OECD countries in 2020, with women accounting for 69.99% of the public sector workforce. Sweden ranked the highest at 77.51%, followed by Finland at 72.19%. [16]

In Norway, most public sector employees worked within local government as of 2023, with a total of 574,498 employees, while the central government employed 328,959 individuals. [17]

In terms of salaries, the central government sector in Norway offered the highest average monthly pay in 2022, with men earning 61,370 Norwegian kroner and women earning approximately 54,620 kroner. In the local government sector, men earned an average of 49,420 kroner, while women earned 46,640 kroner. [18]

Employment Benefits.

Holiday Leave: In Norway, the Holiday Act (Ferieloven) [19] ensures that all employees are entitled to holiday leave and holiday pay. Employees can take 25 working days of leave each year, which equals four weeks and one day, as all days except Sundays. To qualify for the full leave, employees must start work by September 30; those starting after October 1 get six days of leave for that year. Holiday pay is based on earnings from the previous year. The standard rate is 10.2% of annual earnings, but it increases to 12% for employees with five weeks of leave (often through agreements) and 12.5% for employees over 60 who get an extra week of leave.

Parental leave: The Norwegian Working Environment Act [20] provides parents with extensive leave rights to support family life. Pregnant employees are entitled to up to twelve weeks of leave during pregnancy, and mothers are required to take six weeks of leave after childbirth unless medically cleared to return to work earlier. Fathers are entitled to two weeks of leave to assist the mother, which may be transferred to another individual helping if the father is unavailable. Parents are jointly entitled to twelve months of leave, with an additional twelve months available to each parent immediately afterward. Single parents may take up to two years of leave. Adoptive and foster parents are granted the same rights, except in cases of stepchild adoption or if the child is over 15 years old.

The parental benefit period offers 49 weeks at full compensation (100% of income) or 59 weeks at a reduced rate (80% of income). For adoptive parents, the benefit period is shorter, providing 46 weeks at full compensation or 56 weeks at the reduced rate. To be eligible for parental benefits, individuals must be members of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. [21]

Public Organizational Structure.

The Constitution of Norway, established in 1814, defines the country as a monarchy with power divided among three branches: a legislative branch which is also responsible for appropriations, the Storting; an executive branch, the Government; and a judicial branch, the courts of law.

The King serves as the head of state, [22] with his role primarily ceremonial and representative. Although the Constitution states that “the executive power is vested in the King,” this authority is exercised by the Government. The King performs important formal duties, such as officially opening the Storting (Norwegian parliament) each year and presiding over the Council of State at the Royal Palace. He also plays a significant role during government transitions and formally receives the credentials of newly appointed ambassadors during official audiences at the Royal Palace. [23]

Executive power is exercised through a three-tier administrative system, the central/national level, the regional/county level, and the local/municipal level.

Central government

The Central Government of Norway encompasses the Office of the Prime Minister and 16 ministries. [24] It is responsible for national policymaking, drafting legislation (approved by the Storting), and overseeing the implementation of laws and policies through various ministries and agencies.

Responsibilities of the central government [25] :

-      The National Insurance Scheme.

-      Specialised health services (hospitals).

-      Higher education/universities, labour market, refugees and immigrants.

-      National road network, railways, agricultural issues, environmental issues.

-      Police, courts, prisons, armed forces, foreign policy.

-      Specialised social services.

Local government

Local democracy is strong in Norway, and local government is well-established. The Alderman Act of 1837 first set out the rights and duties of local authorities. Both municipalities and counties hold elections where representatives are chosen by the people and are responsible to them. Oslo, the capital, is officially a municipality but also performs the responsibilities of a county authority. While municipalities and county authorities share the same administrative status, the central government has overall authority and oversees their administration. [25]

Norway operates a two-tier local government system, consisting of municipalities and county authorities. As of January 1, 2024, Norway has 15 counties, an increase from 11 in 2023. This change is due to the division of Viken into the counties of Akershus, Buskerud, and Østfold. Similarly, Vestfold and Telemark have been separated into individual counties, as have Troms and Finnmark. These adjustments reverse the county mergers introduced in 2020. [26] Norway also comprises 357 municipalities.

The mainland of Norway is divided into 11 counties (fylker, singular fylke): Agder, Innlandet, Møre og Romsdal, Nordland, Oslo, Rogaland, Vestfold og Telemark, Troms og Finnmark, Trøndelag, Vestland, and Viken. This was reduced in 2020 from 18. [27] In addition are the island group Svalbard and the island Jan Mayen.

Counties and municipalities have local autonomy, but this autonomy is circumscribed by national controls. Counties and municipalities are subject to the oversight of a governor (statsforvalter) appointed by the King in the Council of State. One governor exercises authority in both Oslo and the adjacent county of Viken. Each county has a directly elected county assembly, led by a mayor, which decides upon matters falling within purview of the counties (upper secondary and vocational education, some culture, transport and social services). There is also a governor (sysselmester) on Svalbard, who is under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development as the other counties.

Responsibilities of County Authorities [25]

-       Upper secondary school • Regional development

-       County roads and public transport

-       Regional planning Business development

-       Culture (museums, libraries, sports)

-       Cultural heritage

-       Environmental issues.

Responsibilities of Municipalities [25]

-       Primary and lower secondary school.

-        Nurseries/kindergartens.

-       Primary healthcare.

-       Care for the elderly and disabled, social services.

-       Local planning, agricultural issues, environmental issues, local roads, harbours.

-       Water supply, sanitation and sewer.

- Culture and business development.

Dependent areas

Norway has three dependent areas, all in or near Antarctica: Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, Queen Maud Land in Antarctica, and Peter I Island off West Antarctica. The Norwegian Act of 27 February 1930 declares these areas are subject to Norwegian sovereignty as dependencies.

An attempt to annex East Greenland ended in defeat at the Hague Tribunal in 1933.

Public Participation Mechanisms

Norway’s governance system is internationally recognized for its emphasis on public participation, transparency, and inclusivity. These principles are rooted in the country’s democratic tradition, originating with the 1814 Norwegian Constitution, one of the oldest democratic constitutions in the world. The Constitution not only laid the foundation for participatory democracy but also empowered the Storting (Norwegian parliament) and strengthened electoral systems, ensuring that citizens play a direct role in governance. [28]

Public participation in Norway is facilitated through a combination of legal frameworks, structured mechanisms, and informal practices. These ensure that citizens' voices are heard at every level of government, from local municipalities to national policymaking bodies.

Historical Context of Public Participation

Norway’s transition to a constitutional monarchy in 1814 marked the beginning of its participatory governance system. The 1814 Norwegian Constitution established foundational democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties. [28] Over time, Norway has continuously refined its governance mechanisms to ensure that citizens remain active participants in the democratic process.

In 1837, the enactment of the Formannskapslovene (Municipalities Act) established local self-governance, granting municipalities significant autonomy and encouraging grassroots public participation. [29] This system allowed municipal councils to address local issues independently, fostering robust local governance. Over time, the role of municipal councils has remained central to public participation, enabling citizens to engage directly with local governance and decision-making processes.

Public participation in Norway is supported by several key pieces of legislation:

The Local Government Act (2018): This act establishes the responsibilities of municipalities and counties to foster citizen engagement. It mandates that local governments provide platforms for public input during planning and decision-making processes. For instance, municipal councils are required to hold public hearings and consult citizens before approving major development projects. [30]

The Freedom of Information Act (2009): Transparency is a cornerstone of public trust in Norway’s governance. This act ensures that citizens have access to government documents, promoting transparency and accountability. Allowing citizens to request information, enhances informed participation and supports trust in governmental processes (Ministry of Justice and Public Security, 2009). [31]

The Environmental Information Act (2003): This law grants citizens the right to access environmental data from both public and private entities. It has been instrumental in empowering environmental advocacy groups and enabling citizens to participate in discussions on sustainability and climate change. [32]

These laws collectively create an environment where citizens can engage with their government in a meaningful way, ensuring that governance is responsive to public needs and concerns.

Mechanisms for Citizen Engagement

Norway employs various mechanisms to facilitate public participation. These mechanisms are designed to ensure active citizen engagement in governance, ranging from traditional consultations to innovative digital approaches.

Municipal Planning and Local Engagement

Municipalities play a critical role in facilitating public participation in Norway. Citizens are often invited to contribute to local planning processes, particularly in areas such as urban development, education, and transportation. [33]

For example, urban renewal projects in cities like Trondheim incorporate extensive public input. [34] Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on proposed designs, ensuring that development plans reflect community priorities.

Citizen Surveys and Panels

The Norwegian Citizen Panel, managed by the University of Bergen, is a prime example of how technology can enhance public participation. This web-based platform conducts regular surveys to collect data on public opinion regarding societal issues. The results are used by policymakers to gauge public sentiment and identify areas of concern. [35]

Citizen panels are also employed at the local level. These panels bring together a diverse group of residents to deliberate on complex policy issues. Their recommendations often influence municipal decision-making, demonstrating the value of inclusive governance.

Public Consultations

Public consultations are a cornerstone of Norway’s participatory governance model. These consultations allow citizens to provide feedback on proposed legislation and policies, ensuring that their perspectives are considered before decisions are finalized. [36]

A notable example of the effectiveness of public consultations is Norway's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government conducted extensive consultations with health experts, civil society organizations, and the general public, which enhanced the response's effectiveness and strengthened public trust in government actions. [37] This trust played a key role in successful crisis management, reflected in 80% of citizens expressing satisfaction with healthcare, 12 points above the OECD average (2022). [38]

Civil Society Organizations

Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Norway act as intermediaries between citizens and the government. These organizations represent diverse interests, from environmental advocacy to gender equality. [39] CSOs also play a critical role in public debates often organizing workshops, seminars, and public forums to create spaces where citizens can engage in meaningful dialogue on policy issues.

For example, the Norwegian Association for Women’s Rights has been instrumental in promoting gender equality through lobbying and public awareness campaigns. By addressing societal issues, CSOs help ensure that public concerns are included in the policymaking process. Their activities foster a collaborative relationship between the public and the government, contributing to more inclusive governance.

Non-Governmental Organizations

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Norway significantly influence policymaking by advocating for a variety of interests and ensuring diverse perspectives are considered. These organizations often work closely with government bodies, providing expertise and contributing to the development of policies addressing societal needs. [37]

Organizations like the Norwegian Red Cross, play a vital role in policy discussions on disaster preparedness and public health. By participating in the formulation and implementation of policies, NGOs help shape initiatives that address pressing societal challenges. Their involvement ensures that policies are informed by a broad range of voices and experiences, fostering solutions that are both inclusive and effective.

Digital Platforms

Digital technology has transformed how citizens engage with the government in Norway, with platforms like DigiUng and Ung.no specifically designed to engage younger demographics. Ung.no, for instance, serves as a central hub for government services and information targeting individuals aged 13 to 20. It offers quality-assured resources, guidance, and a question-and-answer service that allows users to seek personalized support.

The platform exemplifies cross-sector collaboration and the use of digital tools to effectively target specific groups. In 2023, Ung.no recorded over 21.9 million visits and approximately 110,000 inquiries, demonstrating its significant reach and impact. [40] By centralizing services and fostering youth participation, platforms like Ung.no enhance civic engagement and ensure public administration remains accessible and relevant to the next generation.

Social Media Engagement

Social media has become a powerful tool for public engagement in Norway, enabling direct interaction between citizens and local governments. For instance, the Nesodden municipality uses platforms like Facebook to maintain communication with residents, providing a forward-thinking example of how local governments can foster real-time dialogue and transparency. [41]

By leveraging social media, municipalities create a more inclusive and collaborative environment for decision-making. These platforms make governance more accessible, particularly for younger, tech-savvy audiences. The use of social media enhances public trust by fostering transparency and ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard and considered.

International organization participation

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, International IDEA, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, International Maritime Organization, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, Zangger Committee.

Related Research Articles

Politics in Estonia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Estonia is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Legislative power is vested in the Estonian parliament. Executive power is exercised by the government, which is led by the prime minister. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Estonia is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, and NATO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of New Zealand</span>

The politics of New Zealand function within a framework of an independent, unitary, parliamentary democracy. The system of government is based on the Westminster system, and the legal system is modelled on the common law of England. New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy in which King Charles III is the sovereign and head of state, while his prime minister serves as the head of government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitution of Norway</span> Supreme law of the Kingdom of Norway

The Constitution of Norway was adopted on 16 May and signed on 17 May 1814 by the Norwegian Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll. The latter date is the National Day of Norway; it marks the establishment of the constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Storting</span> Supreme legislature of Norway

The Storting is the supreme legislature of Norway, established in 1814 by the Constitution of Norway. It is located in Oslo. The unicameral parliament has 169 members and is elected every four years based on party-list proportional representation in nineteen multi-seat constituencies. A member of the Storting is known in Norwegian as a stortingsrepresentant, literally "Storting representative".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union between Sweden and Norway</span> Personal union of Sweden and Norway from 1814 to 1905

Sweden and Norway or Sweden–Norway, officially the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, and known as the United Kingdoms, was a personal union of the separate kingdoms of Sweden and Norway under a common monarch and common foreign policy that lasted from 1814 until its peaceful dissolution in 1905.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Norway</span> Head of government of Norway

The prime minister of Norway is the head of government and chief executive of Norway. The prime minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the monarch, to the Storting, to their political party, and ultimately the electorate. In practice, since it is nearly impossible for a government to stay in office against the will of the Storting, the prime minister is primarily answerable to the Storting. The prime minister is almost always the leader of the majority party in the Storting, or the leader of the senior partner in the governing coalition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labour Party (Norway)</span> Centre-left Norwegian political party

The Labour Party, formerly The Norwegian Labour Party, is a social democratic political party in Norway. It is positioned on the centre-left of the political spectrum, and is led by Jonas Gahr Støre. It is the senior party in a minority governing coalition with the Centre Party since 2021, with Støre serving as the current Prime Minister of Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Socialist Left Party (Norway)</span> Left-wing political party in Norway

The Socialist Left Party is a democratic socialist political party in Norway. Positioned on the left-wing of the political spectrum, it is opposed to European Union and the European Economic Area membership. SV supports a strong public sector, stronger social welfare programs, environmentalism, and republicanism. As of 2018, the party had 11,385 members; the number has steadily increased since a low point in 2015. The party leader is Kirsti Bergstø, who was elected on 18 March 2023

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centre Party (Norway)</span> Centrist and agrarian political party in Norway

The Centre Party, formerly the Farmer's Party, is an agrarian political party in Norway.

Norway elects its legislature on a national level. The parliament, the Storting, has 169 members elected for a four-year term by a form of proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Norwegian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Norway on 11 and 12 September 2005. The result was a victory for the opposition centre-left Red-Green Coalition, which received 48.0% of the votes and won 87 out of 169 seats, dominated by the Labour Party's 61 seats. The three-party centre-right government coalition won 44 seats and the right wing Progress Party won 38, becoming the largest opposition party. Voter turnout was 77.1%, an increase of 2 percentage points compared to the 2001 elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knut Storberget</span> Norwegian lawyer and politician

Knut Storberget is a Norwegian lawyer and politician for the Labour Party. He is currently serving as the county governor of Innlandet since 2019. He previously served as Minister of Justice under Jens Stoltenberg from 2005 to 2011. He was also a member of parliament for Hedmark from 2001 to 2017, and deputy member for the same constituency from 1993 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helga Pedersen (Norway)</span> Norwegian politician

Helga Pedersen is a Norwegian politician, former Minister, and member of the Storting, who served as the deputy leader for the Labour Party from 2007 to 2015. A native of Sør-Varanger Municipality, she served between 2003 and 2005 as the County Mayor of the northernmost Finnmark county. From 2005 to 2009 she served as Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, becoming the youngest member of the Labour-led Red-Green Coalition headed by Jens Stoltenberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet</span> Government of Norway from 2005 to 2013

Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet was the Government of Norway from 17 October 2005 to 16 October 2013. It was a coalition between the Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party, known as the Red–Green Coalition. On 9 September 2013, the coalition was defeated in the 2013 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rigmor Aasrud</span> Norwegian politician (born 1960)

Rigmor Aasrud is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She has served as member of parliament for Oppland since 2009, having previously been a deputy member between 1993 and 2005. She has also served as the party's parliamentary leader since 2021 and also held several government positions during Jens Stoltenberg's premiership between 2005 and 2013.

In Norway, a state secretary is a partisan political position within the executive branch of government. Contrary to the position secretary of state in many other countries, a Norwegian state secretary does not head the ministry, rather, they are second in rank to a minister. Resembling a de facto vice minister, the state secretary, however, cannot attend a Council of State, and does not act as a temporary minister in case of illness or other leave of absence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Denmark</span>

The politics of Denmark take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a decentralised unitary state in which the monarch of Denmark, King Frederik X, is the head of state. Denmark is a nation state. Danish politics and governance are characterized by a common striving for broad consensus on important issues, within both the political community and society as a whole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Norwegian parliamentary election</span> Parliamentary election in Norway in 2013

Parliamentary elections were held in Norway on 8 and 9 September 2013 to elect all 169 members of the unicameral Storting. The centre-right coalition obtained 96 seats, while the incumbent red–green coalition government obtained 72 seats and the Green Party obtained one. The Labour Party won the largest share (30.8%) of the votes cast, with the Conservatives coming second (26.8%), after increasing its share by 9.6 percentage points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Norwegian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Norway on 13 September 2021. All 169 seats in the Norwegian legislature, the Storting, were up for election.

References

  1. Democracy Index 2023: Age of Conflict (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit (Report). 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  2. V-Dem Institute (2023). "The V-Dem Dataset" . Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  3. "2019 World Press Freedom Index". Reporters Without Borders. 2019.
  4. "Norway". Freedom House. FreedomHouse. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  5. "Centre-left bloc wins Norway poll". 13 September 2005.
  6. Walter Gibbs: Norway Keeps Leftists in Power The New York Times, 15 September 2009
  7. "Norway election: Conservative Erna Solberg triumphs". BBC News. 10 September 2013.
  8. "New Government announced". Stortinget. 18 October 2013.
  9. "Norway election: Ruling Conservatives claim second term". BBC News. 12 September 2017.
  10. "Norway party quits government in 'jihadist-wife' row". BBC News. 20 January 2020.
  11. "Norway's centre-left defeats Solberg's conservative rule". BBC News. 14 September 2021.
  12. "Norway's prime minister presents his new government". ABC News .
  13. "Norway to have single chamber parliament". Norden. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  14. 1 2 "Lov om statens ansatte mv. (statsansatteloven) - Lovdata". lovdata.no. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  15. "Employment in the public sector". www.tekna.no. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  16. 1 2 OECD (2023-06-30). Government at a Glance 2023. Government at a Glance. OECD. doi:10.1787/3d5c5d31-en. ISBN   978-92-64-67279-6.
  17. Statista (November 2023). "Norway: number of employees by sector 2023".
  18. "Norway: monthly salary by sector and gender 2022 | Statista". Statista. Archived from the original on 2024-01-14. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  19. "NATLEX - Norway - Holidays Act (No. 21 of 1988)". natlex.ilo.org. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  20. "Act relating to the working environment, working hours and employment protection, etc. (Working Environment Act) - Lovdata". lovdata.no. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  21. Inclusion, Ministry of Labour and Social (2024-03-13). "The Norwegian Social Insurance Scheme 2024". Government.no. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  22. "Main executive and legislative bodies". eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  23. "The King&#146;s constitutional role". www.royalcourt.no. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  24. "Ministries". Government.no. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Local government in Norway" (PDF).
  26. "Norwegian counties face financial strain amid rising costs". Nordic Credit Rating. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  27. "Nye fylker". Regjeringen.no (in Norwegian). 2019-12-19. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  28. 1 2 "Writing the Norwegian constitution, 1814". nordics.info. 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  29. Grindheim, Jan Erik (2021), Martí-Henneberg, Jordi (ed.), "Norway", European Regions, 1870 – 2020: A Geographic and Historical Insight into the Process of European Integration, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 99–113, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-61537-6_10, ISBN   978-3-030-61537-6 , retrieved 2025-01-28
  30. Modernisation, Ministry of Local Government and (2021-04-21). "The Local Government Act". Government.no. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  31. "Act relating to the right of access to documents held by public authorities and public undertakings (Freedom of Information Act) - Lovdata". lovdata.no. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  32. Environment, Ministry of the (2003-05-09). "Environmental Information Act". Government.no. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  33. https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/upload/kmd/komm/veiledninger_og_brosjyrer/local_government_in_norway_h-2313e.pdf
  34. "Focus on Citizens". OECD. 2009-05-27. doi:10.1787/9789264048874-12-en . Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  35. "The Norwegian Citizen Panel". University of Bergen. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  36. "Consultations". Government.no. 2014-12-08. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  37. 1 2 Holum, Marthe (2023-10-03). "Citizen Participation: Linking Government Efforts, Actual Participation, and Trust in Local Politicians". International Journal of Public Administration. 46 (13): 915–925. doi:10.1080/01900692.2022.2048667. ISSN   0190-0692.
  38. "Government at a Glance 2023: Norway". OECD. 2023-06-29. Retrieved 2025-01-29.
  39. https://www.norad.no/contentassets/f404d39a2d2943749cbf2029e14ea777/norads-support-to-civil-society-guiding-principles/
  40. forvaltningsdepartementet, Digitaliserings-og (2024-11-04). "The Digital Norway of the Future". Government.no. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  41. Nuse, Ingrid P. (2015-09-22). "Internet sparks local political engagement". www.sciencenorway.no. Retrieved 2025-01-28.