Prime Minister of Norway

Prime Minister of Norway
Post	Prime Minister
Body	Norway
Native name	Statsminister
Insigniasize	120
Insigniacaption	Coat of arms of Norway
Flagsize	120
Flagcaption	Flag of Norway
Incumbent	Jonas Gahr Støre
Incumbentsince	14 October 2021
Department	Executive branch of the Norwegian government
Style	His/Her Excellency
Member of	Council of State
Reports to	Storting
Residence	Parkveien 45
Seat	Regjeringskvartalet, Oslo
Nominator	The Monarch
Appointer	The Monarch
Termlength	No fixed term
Formation	1814 (as First Minister), 1873 (modern title)
First	Peder Anker (First Minister), Frederik Stang (first Statsminister)
Salary	1,735,000 kr annually

Contents

History
Appointment and tenure
Powers and duties
List of prime ministers
Office and residence
See also

Prime Minister of Norway is the head of government and the most powerful political office in the Kingdom of Norway. The incumbent, Jonas Gahr Støre, leads the Norwegian Council of State and is responsible for executing the will of the Storting, the national legislature. The position has evolved significantly since its origins in the early 19th century, with its modern form and powers largely defined by the Norwegian Constitution and subsequent political traditions.

History

The office originated in 1814 following the Constitution of Norway and the dissolution of the union between Norway and Denmark, with Peder Anker serving as the first First Minister. The title *Statsminister* was formally adopted in 1873, with Frederik Stang as its first holder during the Union between Sweden and Norway. Key developments include the establishment of parliamentarism in Norway in 1884 following the Impeachment case of 1883-1884 and the accession of Johan Sverdrup as the first prime minister chosen by the Storting. The office continued through the Union dissolution of Norway and Sweden in 1905, the Norwegian government-in-exile during the German occupation of Norway in World War II, and Norway's subsequent membership in NATO and the European Economic Area.

Appointment and tenure

The prime minister is formally appointed by the Monarch, following a proposal from the President of the Storting after political negotiations, typically with the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Storting. There is no fixed term, and the prime minister remains in office as long as they retain the confidence of the legislature, as demonstrated during votes like the 1981 Norwegian vote of no confidence. A prime minister may resign, as Kjell Magne Bondevik did in 2000, or be dismissed by the monarch if they lose a motion of confidence, though this is a formal power rarely exercised directly. The appointment process is a central convention of Norwegian parliamentary system.

Powers and duties

The prime minister chairs the Norwegian Council of State, sets the government's political agenda, and represents Norway in international forums like the European Council and the United Nations. Key duties include advising the Monarch, coordinating the work of ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, and presenting the National budget of Norway to the Storting. The prime minister also plays a central role in national security through the Norwegian National Security Authority and in implementing major policies like the Oil fund of Norway.

List of prime ministers

Since 1873, Norway has had over 30 prime ministers, representing various parties including the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, and the Centre Party. Notable long-serving prime ministers include Johan Nygaardsvold, who led the Norwegian government-in-exile, and Gro Harlem Brundtland of the Labour Party, the first woman to hold the office. Recent officeholders include Erna Solberg of the Conservative Party and the current prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre of the Labour Party.

Office and residence

The prime minister's primary office is located in the Regjeringskvartalet (Government Quarter) in central Oslo, which also houses key ministries like the Ministry of Justice. The official residence is Parkveien 45, a mansion near the Royal Palace, Oslo. Other significant locations include the Statsministerens kontor and the nearby Storting Building. The Regjeringskvartalet was the site of the 2011 Norway attacks targeting government buildings.