Parliament of Norway

Parliament of Norway
Name	Parliament of Norway
Native name	Stortinget
Legislature	Unicameral (since 2009)
House type	Unicameral
Foundation	17 May 1814
Leader1 type	President of the Storting
Leader1	Masud Gharahkhani
Election1	2021
Leader2 type	Vice President of the Storting
Leader2	Nils T. Bjørke
Election2	2021
Members	169
Political groups1	Government (76), Labour Party (48), Centre Party (28), Supporting (13), Socialist Left Party (13), Opposition (80), Conservative Party (36), Progress Party (21), Red Party (8), Green Party (3), Christian Democratic Party (3), Liberal Party (8), Patient Focus (1)
Voting system1	Open list proportional representation in 19 multi-member constituencies
Last election1	13 September 2021
Meeting place	Storting building, Karl Johans gate, Oslo
Website	https://www.stortinget.no

Parliament of Norway. Known as the Stortinget, it is the supreme legislature of the Kingdom of Norway, established by the Constitution of Norway signed at Eidsvoll in 1814. As a unicameral body since the constitutional amendment of 2009, it holds sovereignty and is central to the nation's parliamentary system and constitutional monarchy. The assembly meets in the historic Storting building on Karl Johans gate in the capital, Oslo.

History

The foundational event was the constitutional assembly at Eidsvoll in 1814, following the Treaty of Kiel and the Swedish–Norwegian War (1814), which created a bicameral legislature divided into the Lagting and Odelsting. Key historical developments include the introduction of parliamentarism in 1884, precipitated by the conflict between King Oscar II and the Liberal Party led by Johan Sverdrup. The Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905 was ratified here, and the body played a crucial role during the German occupation in World War II. The 2009 Norwegian parliamentary reform formally abolished the division into two chambers, establishing the current unicameral system.

Composition and elections

It consists of 169 representatives elected for a four-year term through a system of proportional representation across 19 constituencies, which correspond to the country's counties, such as Oslo, Rogaland, and Hordaland. Elections follow the open list method, detailed in the Election Act of Norway, with a national threshold of 4% for leveling seats. The Norwegian electoral commission oversees the process, with the most recent election being the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election. Seats are allocated using a modified version of the Sainte-Laguë method.

Powers and functions

Its principal power is legislative sovereignty, including the authority to amend the Constitution of Norway. It controls the national budget, enacts laws, and provides oversight of the Government led by the Prime Minister, currently Jonas Gahr Støre. It ratifies major international treaties like those of the European Economic Area and NATO, and holds the exclusive power to levy taxes and appropriate funds. The assembly can pass a motion of no confidence against the government and has investigative powers through select committees, such as those examining the 2011 terror attacks or the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

Parliamentary procedure

Sessions run from October to June, governed by the Standing Orders of the Storting. Daily proceedings are led by the President of the Storting, currently Masud Gharahkhani, and debates are managed according to formal rules of order. Legislation is typically reviewed by permanent committees like the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs or the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. Important traditions include the annual opening by King Harald V and the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize in the building's main chamber.

Buildings and facilities

The primary seat is the Storting building, a prominent Romanesque Revival structure on Karl Johans gate in Oslo, designed by the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet and completed in 1866. The complex includes the historic Lagting Chamber and Odelsting Chamber, now used for committee work, and the main assembly hall. The building underwent significant expansion and modernization in the 20th century, including the addition of the Storting Tower. Security is managed by the Storting's Directorate of Security.

Current composition and leadership

Following the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, the governing coalition is a minority cabinet led by Jonas Gahr Støre of the Labour Party, in partnership with the Centre Party, and relies on support from the Socialist Left Party. The President of the Storting is Masud Gharahkhani (Labour), with Nils T. Bjørke (Centre) serving as a Vice President of the Storting. Major opposition parties include the Conservative Party under Erna Solberg, the Progress Party, and the Liberal Party. The current distribution reflects the political landscape shaped by debates over issues like oil exploration, European Union relations, and climate policy.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Norway Category:1814 establishments in Norway