Diet of Norway

Diet of Norway. The Stortinget is the supreme legislature of Norway, established by the Constitution of Norway signed at Eidsvoll in 1814. It is a unicameral body, though it divides into two sections, the Lagting and the Odelsting, for certain legislative procedures. The assembly meets in the historic Storting building in the capital, Oslo, and its members are elected through a system of proportional representation.

History

The foundational basis for the modern legislature was created during the Napoleonic Wars, culminating in the Constitution of Norway being signed on 17 May 1814 at Eidsvoll. This event followed the Treaty of Kiel and preceded the Swedish–Norwegian War (1814), which led to the Union between Sweden and Norway. Throughout the 19th century, the Storting was a central arena in the struggle for parliamentarism in Norway, which was definitively established in 1884 following the impeachment proceedings of the Selmer's Cabinet known as the 1980s. The union with Sweden was peacefully dissolved in 1905, confirmed by the 1905 Norwegian union dissolution referendum. Key historical figures in its development include Johan Sverdrup, known as the "father of parliamentarism," and Christian Magnus Falsen, a principal author of the constitution.

Composition

The Storting is composed of 169 representatives elected for four-year terms from 19 multi-member constituencies. Elections follow an open list proportional representation system, with seats allocated using the modified Sainte-Laguë method. Major political parties represented include the Labour Party (Norway), the Conservative Party (Norway), the Centre Party (Norway), and the Progress Party (Norway). The presiding officer is the President of the Storting, a position held by Masud Gharahkhani since 2021. The assembly internally divides into the Lagting (upper section) and the Odelsting (lower section) for reviewing certain legislation, though this division was rendered inactive by a 2007 constitutional amendment.

Functions and powers

As the supreme legislative authority, its primary function is to enact, amend, and repeal laws covering all areas of Norwegian governance. It holds the exclusive power to approve the state budget and levy taxes. The Storting also exercises significant oversight, including the authority to conduct inquiries through select committees and to impeach members of the Supreme Court of Norway and the Cabinet of Norway. It plays a crucial role in foreign affairs by ratifying international treaties, such as those concerning the European Economic Area and NATO. Furthermore, it appoints the Norwegian Parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Committee and the Auditor General of Norway.

Legislative process

Most bills are proposed by the Cabinet of Norway, though members can also submit private member's bills. A bill is typically introduced in the Odelsting, debated, and sent to a relevant standing committee, such as the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs or the Standing Committee on Justice. The committee reviews the proposal and submits a recommendation to the plenary. For certain types of legislation, including constitutional amendments, the bill must then be considered by the Lagting. If the two sections disagree, the bill is decided by a joint plenary session of the full Storting. Constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority and cannot be enacted until after a general election.

Relationship with the Government

The political executive, the Cabinet of Norway, is dependent on the confidence of the Storting, embodying the principle of parliamentarism in Norway. The Prime Minister of Norway is appointed by the Monarchy of Norway but must have the support of the legislature. The government presents its policy platform in the State of the Realm Speech and is held accountable through mechanisms like question time and interpellation debates. Key instances of this relationship in action include the fall of the Willoch's First Cabinet in 1986 and the negotiations following the 2013 Norwegian parliamentary election. The Storting also confirms appointments to major state offices and receives reports from bodies like the National Insurance Scheme.

See also

* Politics of Norway * List of presidents of the Storting * 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election * Norwegian parliamentary election, 2009 * Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs