The Storting: Norway's Supreme Legislature

The Storting, known in Norwegian as Stortinget, is the supreme legislature of Norway, established in 1814 by the Constitution of Norway. It is located in the nation's capital, Oslo. The Storting is a unicameral parliament with 169 members elected every four years. The electoral system is based on party-list proportional representation in nineteen multi-seat constituencies.

Historical Context

The Storting was formed after the personal union between Sweden and Norway was dissolved. The establishment of the Storting was a significant step in Norway's journey toward independence and democracy. Initially, a form of parliamentarianism was introduced in 1884, where the Storting operated with a unique system of "qualified unicameralism." This system allowed it to divide its membership into two internal chambers, effectively making it a de facto bicameral parliament. These chambers were known as the Lagting and the Odelsting.

The importance of the Storting's establishment is also tied to the previous political structures in the region. For instance, prior to the Storting, the King Act of 1665 had cemented the absolute monarchy of King Frederick III, which was the constitution for the Union of Denmark and Norway until 1814.

Structure and Function

A member of the Storting is referred to as a stortingsrepresentant, meaning "Storting representative." The assembly is led by the President of the Storting, a position created alongside the Storting in 1814. The president acts as the presiding officer of the legislature.

The Storting's decisions are crucial for the governance of Norway. It holds significant power over the Prime Minister of Norway, who is primarily answerable to the Storting. The Prime Minister cannot remain in office against the will of the Storting, highlighting the importance of parliamentary support in the Norwegian political system.

The Storting Building

The official seat of the Storting is the Storting building, located at Karl Johans gate in Oslo. This iconic structure is not only a central location for Norwegian politics but also a symbol of Norway's democratic governance.

Electoral Constituencies

Norway is divided into nineteen multi-member constituencies for the purpose of elections to the Storting. These constituencies, such as Troms and Finnmark, elect multiple members to the Storting, ensuring representation from across the country. Each constituency reflects the demographic and geographic diversity of Norway.

Prominent Figures