Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Storting.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Storting
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Information about the organization (like committee leadership) and parliamentary leaders is outdated. Changes should reflect the parliamentary election in 2021 and the change of government. (May 2022) |
The Storting (Norwegian: Stortinget [ˈstûːʈɪŋə]; lit. 'the Great Thing') 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".[2]
Key Information
The assembly is led by a president and, since 2009, five vice presidents: the presidium. The members are allocated to twelve standing committees as well as four procedural committees. Three ombudsmen are directly subordinate to parliament: the Parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Committee and the Office of the Auditor General.
Parliamentarianism was established in 1884, with the Storting operating a form of "qualified unicameralism", in which it divided its membership into two internal chambers making Norway a de facto bicameral parliament, the Lagting and the Odelsting.[3] Following a constitutional amendment in 2007, this was abolished, taking effect following the 2009 election.[4]
Following the 2025 election, nine parties are represented in parliament: the Labour Party (53), the Progress Party (47), the Conservative Party (24), the Centre Party (9), the Socialist Left Party (9), the Red Party (9), the Green Party (8), the Christian Democratic Party (7), and the Liberal Party (3). Since 2021, Masud Gharahkhani has been President of the Storting.
History
[edit]The parliament in its present form was first constituted at Eidsvoll in 1814, although its origins can be traced back to the allting, as early as the 9th century, a type of thing, or common assembly of free men in Germanic societies that would gather at a place called a thingstead and were presided over by lawspeakers. The alltings were where legal and political matters were discussed. These gradually were formalised so that the things grew into regional meetings and acquired backing and authority from the Crown, even to the extent that on occasions they were instrumental in effecting change in the monarchy itself.
As oral laws became codified and Norway unified as a geopolitical entity in the 10th century, the lagtings ("law things") were established as superior regional assemblies. During the mid-13th century, the by then archaic regional assemblies, the Frostating, the Gulating, the Eidsivating and the Borgarting, were amalgamated and the corpus of law was set down under the command of King Magnus Lagabøte. This jurisdiction remained significant until King Frederick III proclaimed absolute monarchy in 1660; this was ratified by the passage of the King Act of 1665, and this became the constitution of the Union of Denmark and Norway and remained so until 1814 and the foundation of the Storting.
The Parliament of Norway Building opened in 1866.
World War II
[edit]On 27 June 1940 the presidium signed an appeal to King Haakon, seeking his abdication.[5] (The presidium then consisted of the presidents and vice-presidents of parliament, Odelstinget and Lagtinget.[6] Ivar Lykke stepped in (according to mandate) in place of the president in exile, C. J. Hambro;[7] Lykke was one [of the six] who signed.[5])
In September 1940 the representatives were summoned to Oslo, and voted in favour of the results of the negotiations between the presidium and the authorities of the German invaders.[5] (92 voted for, and 53 voted against.)[5] However, directives from Adolf Hitler resulted in the obstruction of "the agreement of cooperation between parliament and [the] occupation force".[5]
Qualified unicameralism (1814–2009)
[edit]The Storting has always been de facto unicameral, but before a constitutional amendment in 2009 it was de jure bicameral. After an election, the Storting would elect a quarter of its membership to form the Lagting, a sort of "upper house" or revising chamber, with the remaining three-quarters forming the Odelsting or "lower house".[4] The division was also used on very rare occasions in cases of impeachment. The original idea in 1814 was probably to have the Lagting act as an actual upper house, and the senior and more experienced members of the Storting were placed there. Later, however, the composition of the Lagting closely followed that of the Odelsting, so that there was very little that differentiated them, and the passage of a bill in the Lagting was mostly a formality.
Bills were submitted by the Government to the Odelsting or by a member of the Odelsting; members of the Lagting were not permitted to propose legislation by themselves. A standing committee, with members from both the Odelsting and Lagting, would then consider the bill, and in some cases hearings were held. If passed by the Odelsting, the bill would be sent to the Lagting for review or revision. Most bills were passed unamended by the Lagting and then sent directly to the king for royal assent. If the Lagting amended the Odelsting's draft, the bill would be sent back to the Odelsting. If the Odelsting approved the Lagting's amendments, the bill would be signed into law by the King.[8] If it did not, then the bill would return to the Lagting. If the Lagting still proposed amendments, the bill would be submitted to a plenary session of the Storting. To be passed, the bill required the approval of a two-thirds majority of the plenary session. In all other cases a simple majority would suffice.[9] Three days had to pass between each time a chamber voted on a bill.[8] In all other cases, such as taxes and appropriations, the Storting would meet in plenary session.
A proposal to amend the constitution and abolish the Odelsting and Lagting was introduced in 2004 and was passed by the Storting on 20 February 2007 (159–1 with nine absentees).[10] It took effect with the newly elected Storting in 2009.[11]
Number of seats
[edit]The number of seats in the Storting has varied over the years. In 1882 there were 114 seats, increasing to 117 in 1903, 123 in 1906, 126 in 1918, 150 in 1921, 155 in 1973, 157 in 1985, 165 in 1989, and 169 as of 2005.
Procedure
[edit]Legislative
[edit]
The legislative procedure goes through five stages. First, a bill is introduced to parliament either by a member of government or, in the case of a private member's bill, by any individual representative. Parliament will refer the bill to the relevant standing committee, where it will be subjected to detailed consideration in the committee stage. The first reading takes place when parliament debates the recommendation from the committee, and then takes a vote. If the bill is dismissed, the procedure ends. The second reading takes place at least three days after the first reading, in which parliament debates the bill again. A new vote is taken, and if successful, the bill is submitted to the King in Council for royal assent. If parliament comes to a different conclusion during the second reading, a third reading will be held at least three days later, repeating the debate and vote, and may adopt the amendments from the second reading or finally dismiss the bill.
Royal assent
[edit]Once the bill has reached the King in Council, the bill must be signed by the monarch and countersigned by the prime minister. It then becomes Norwegian law from the date stated in the Act or decided by the government.
Articles 77–79 of the Norwegian constitution specifically grant the King of Norway the right to withhold Royal Assent from any bill passed by the Storting.[12] This right has never been exercised by any Norwegian monarch since the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905 (though it was exercised by Swedish monarchs before then when they ruled Norway). Should the king ever choose to exercise this privilege, Article 79 provides a means by which his veto may be overridden if the Storting passes the same bill after a general election:
"If a Bill has been passed unaltered by two sessions of the Storting, constituted after two separate successive elections and separated from each other by at least two intervening sessions of the Storting, without a divergent Bill having been passed by any Storting in the period between the first and last adoption, and it is then submitted to the King with a petition that His Majesty shall not refuse his assent to a Bill which, after the most mature deliberation, the Storting considers to be beneficial, it shall become law even if the Royal Assent is not accorded before the Storting goes into recess."[12]
Organisation
[edit] |
|---|
| Constitution |
 Norway portal |
Presidium
[edit]The presidium is chaired by the president of the Storting, consisting of the president and five vice presidents of the Storting. The system with five vice presidents was implemented in 2009. Before this there was a single holder of the office.[13][14]
| Position | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| President | Masud Gharahkhani | Labour |
| First Vice President | Svein Harberg | Conservative |
| Second Vice President | Nils T. Bjørke | Centre |
| Third Vice President | Morten Wold | Progress |
| Fourth Vice President | Kari Henriksen | Labour |
| Fifth Vice President | Ingrid Fiskaa | Socialist Left |
Standing committees
[edit]The members of parliament are allocated into twelve standing committees, of which eleven are related to specific political topics. The last is the Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs. The standing committees have a portfolio that covers that of one or more government ministers.[15]
| Committee | Chair | Chair's party |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Industry | Erling Sande | Centre |
| Education and Research | Hege Bae Nyholt | Red |
| Energy and the Environment | Ingvild Kjerkol | Labour |
| Family and Cultural Affairs | Grunde Almeland | Liberal |
| Finance and Economic Affairs | Tuva Moflag | Labour |
| Foreign Affairs and Defence | Ine Eriksen Søreide | Conservative |
| Health and Care Services | Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen | Conservative |
| Justice | Helge André Njåstad | Progress |
| Labour and Social Affairs | Freddy André Øvstegård | Socialist Left |
| Local Government and Public Administration | Sverre Myrli | Labour |
| Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs | Peter Frølich | Conservative |
| Transport and Communications | Sigbjørn Gjelsvik | Centre |
Other committees
[edit]There are four other committees, that run parallel to the standing committees. The Enlarged Committee on Foreign Affairs consists of members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, the presidium, and the parliamentary leaders. The committee discusses important issues related to foreign affairs, trade policy, and national safety with the government. Discussions are confidential. The European Committee consists of the members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence and the parliamentary delegation to the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA). The committee conducts discussions with the government regarding directives from the European Union.
The Election Committee consists of 37 members, and is responsible for internal elections within the parliament, as well as delegating and negotiating party and representative allocation within the presidium, standing committees, and other committees. The Preparatory Credentials Committee has 16 members and is responsible for approving the election.
Appointed agencies
[edit]Five public agencies are appointed by parliament rather than by the government. The Office of the Auditor General is the auditor of all branches of the public administration and is responsible for auditing, monitoring and advising all state economic activities. The Parliamentary Ombudsman is an ombudsman responsible for public administration, who can investigate any public matter that has not been processed by an elected body, the courts, or within the military. The Ombudsman for the Armed Forces is an ombudsman responsible for the military. The Ombudsman for Civilian National Servicemen is responsible for people serving civilian national service. The Parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Committee is a seven-member body responsible for supervising public intelligence, surveillance, and security services. Parliament also appoints the five members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee that award the Nobel Peace Prize.
Administration
[edit]Parliament has an administration of about 450 people, led by Director of the Storting Marianne Andreassen, who assumed office in 2018. She also acts as secretary for the presidium.[16]
Party groups
[edit]Each party represented in parliament has a party group. It is led by a board and chaired by a parliamentary leader. It is customary for the party leader to also act as parliamentary leader, but since party leaders of government parties normally sit as ministers, governing parties elect other representatives as their parliamentary leaders. The table reflects the results of the September 2021 election.
| Party | Seats | Parliamentary leader |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Party | 48 | Bjørnar Skjæran[17] |
| Centre Party | 28 | Marit Arnstad[18] |
| Conservative Party | 36 | Erna Solberg (also party leader)[19] |
| Progress Party | 21 | Sylvi Listhaug[20] |
| Socialist Left Party | 13 | Kirsti Bergstø (also party leader)[21] |
| Red Party | 8 | Marie Sneve Martinussen (also party leader)[22] |
| Liberal Party | 8 | Guri Melby (also party leader)[23] |
| Green Party | 3 | Une Bastholm[24] |
| Christian Democratic Party | 3 | Dag-Inge Ulstein (also party leader)[25] |
| Patient Focus | 1 | Irene Ojala (also party leader)[25] |
Elections
[edit]
Members to the Storting are elected based on party-list proportional representation in plural member constituencies. This means that representatives from different political parties are elected from each constituency. The constituencies are identical to the 19 former counties of Norway. Although county mergers have brought the number of counties down to 15, the 19 constituencies are unchanged. The electorate does not vote for individuals but rather for party lists, with a ranked list of candidates nominated by the party. Parties may nominate candidates from outside their own constituency, and even Norwegian citizens currently living abroad.[26]
The Sainte-Laguë method is used for allocating parliamentary seats to parties. As a result, the percentage of representatives is roughly equal to the nationwide percentage of votes. Still, a party with a high number of votes in only one constituency can win a seat there even if the nationwide percentage is low. This has happened several times in Norwegian history. Conversely, if a party's initial representation in Stortinget is proportionally less than its share of votes, the party may seat more representatives through leveling seats, provided that the nationwide percentage is above the election threshold, currently at 4%. In 2009, nineteen seats were allocated via the leveling system.[26] Elections are held each four years (in odd-numbered years occurring after a year evenly divisible by four), normally on the second Monday of September.
Unlike most other parliaments, the Storting always serves its full four-year term; the Constitution does not allow snap elections. Substitutes for each deputy are elected at the same time as each election, so by-elections are rare.
Norway switched its parliamentary elections from single-member districts decided by two-round run-offs to multi-member districts with proportional representation in 1919.[27][28]
Historical composition of the Storting
[edit]Norway parliamentary election (since 1921 - proportional election)
[edit]|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1921 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1927 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1930 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1933 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1936 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1945 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1949 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1953 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1957 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1961 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1965 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1969 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1973 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1977 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1985 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Members
[edit]The parliament has 169 members. If a member of parliament cannot serve (for instance because he or she is a member of the cabinet), a deputy representative serves instead. The deputy is the candidate from the same party who was listed on the ballot immediately behind the candidates who were elected in the last election.
In the plenary chamber, the seats are laid out in a hemicycle. Seats for cabinet members in attendance are provided on the first row, behind them the members of parliament are seated according to county, not party group. Viewed from the president's chair, Aust-Agder's representatives are seated near the front, furthest to the left, while the last members (Østfold) are seated furthest to the right and at the back.[29]
1980s–present
[edit]- List of members of the Storting, 1981–1985
- List of members of the Storting, 1985–1989
- List of members of the Storting, 1989–1993
- List of members of the Storting, 1993–1997
- List of members of the Storting, 1997–2001
- List of members of the Storting, 2001–2005
- List of members of the Storting, 2005–2009
- List of members of the Storting, 2009–2013
- List of members of the Storting, 2013–2017
- List of members of the Storting, 2017–2021
- List of members of the Storting, 2021–2025
- List of members of the Storting, 2025–2029
Building
[edit]
Since 5 March 1866, parliament has met in the Parliament of Norway Building at Karl Johans gate 22 in Oslo. The building was designed by the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet and is built in yellow brick with details and basement in light gray granite. It is a combination of several styles, including inspirations from France and Italy. Parliament do also include offices and meeting rooms in the nearby buildings, since the Parliament building is too small to hold all the current staff of the legislature. The buildings in Akersgata 18, Prinsens Gate 26, Akersgata 21, Tollbugata 31 and Nedre Vollgate 18 also contains parliamentary staff and members of Parliament.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Heldahl, Henrik (30 October 2023). "Stortinget enig: Du som velger får mindre makt" [The Storting in agreement: You the voter will get less power]. Nettavisen (in Norwegian Bokmål). Oslo: Mediehuset Nettavisen. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
...det nå blir lukkede lister ved stortingsvalg.
[...there will now be closed lists for parliamentary elections.] - ^ Stortingsrepresentant ulovlig pågrepet Archived 19 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine, NTB, Dagens Næringsliv, 18 August 2016
- ^ Scandinavian Politics Today Archived 4 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine, David Arter, Manchester University Press, 1999, page 31
- ^ a b A Europe of Rights: The Impact of the ECHR on National Legal Systems Archived 10 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Helen Keller, Alec Stone Sweet, Oxford University Press, 2008, page 210
- ^ a b c d e Tor Bomann-Larsen (14 March 2014). "Stortinget hvitvasker sin krigshistorie". Aftenposten. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ "Stortingets presidentskap". Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ "Ivar Lykke". Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ a b Norway and the Norwegians, Robert Gordon Latham, Richard Bentley, 1840, page 89
- ^ Political Systems Of The World Archived 23 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine, J Denis Derbyshire and Ian Derbyshire, Allied Publishers, page 204
- ^ Historical Dictionary of Norway Archived 22 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Jan Sjåvik, Scarecrow Press, 2008, page 191
- ^ Chronicle of Parliamentary Elections Archived 23 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Volume 43, International Centre for Parliamentary Documentation, 2009, page 192
- ^ a b "The Norwegian Constitution". The Storting information office. Retrieved on 12 April 2007. Archived 3 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Stortinget.no". 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
- ^ "Stortingets presidentskap". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Representanter og komiteer". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Stortingets direktør". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 10 April 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Arbeiderpartiet (A)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Senterpartiet (Sp)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Høyre (H)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Fremskrittspartiet (FrP)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Sosialistisk Venstreparti (SV)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Rødt (R)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Venstre (V)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 3 February 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "Miljøpartiet De Grønne (MDG)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 7 February 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Kristelig Folkeparti (KrF)". Stortinget (in Norwegian). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ a b Ryssevik, Jostein (2002). I samfunnet. Norsk politikk (in Norwegian). Oslo: Aschehoug. ISBN 978-82-03-32852-7.
- ^ Fiva, Jon H.; Hix, Simon (2021). "Electoral Reform and Strategic Coordination". British Journal of Political Science. 51 (4): 1782–1791. doi:10.1017/S0007123419000747. hdl:11250/2983501. ISSN 0007-1234.
- ^ Fiva, Jon H.; Smith, Daniel M. (2 November 2017). "Norwegian parliamentary elections, 1906–2013: representation and turnout across four electoral systems". West European Politics. 40 (6): 1373–1391. doi:10.1080/01402382.2017.1298016. hdl:11250/2588036. ISSN 0140-2382. S2CID 157213679.
- ^ Plasseringen i stortingssalen Archived 27 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine (in Norwegian) Stortinget.no, a map of seating by county is also available Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
External links
[edit]
Media related to Stortinget at Wikimedia Commons- Official website (in English)
- Ekspert om opplysningsplikten: Slik er reglene for hva statsråder må fortelle i Stortinget [expert about opplysningsplikten (or obligation to disclose): Such are the rules for ministers, in regard to what (they) must tell Stortinget] (20 November 2020) Dagsavisen
| Parliamentary elections |
|
|---|---|
| Local elections | |
| Sámi elections | |
| Referendums | |
Storting
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The Storting (Norwegian: Stortinget, lit. 'Great Assembly') is the unicameral national parliament of Norway, serving as the supreme arena for political debate and decision-making in the Kingdom.[1][2]
Established on 17 May 1814 with the enactment of the Constitution of Norway at Eidsvoll, it represents one of the world's oldest continuous parliamentary institutions, with legislative roots tracing back further in Scandinavian tradition.[2]
The Storting consists of 169 members elected every four years through a system of proportional representation in 19 constituencies, with the most recent election held in September 2021 for the 2021–2025 term.[3][4]
Since constitutional amendments in 2009, it functions fully as a unicameral legislature, having previously divided into two chambers (Odelsting and Lagting) for certain proceedings, though most business was handled plenarily.[5][6]
Convening in the purpose-built Storting edifice in Oslo, completed in 1866, the parliament holds powers to enact laws, approve budgets, ratify treaties, and scrutinize the government via committees, interpellations, and votes of no confidence.[7][1]
Smaller parties below the 4% national threshold received the remainder but gained levelling seats through strong regional performances. The Labour Party was allocated 53 seats, up from 48 in 2021, while the Progress Party's gains positioned it to challenge for influence in opposition.[71] Overall, the results underscored polarization, with the right-wing opposition bloc gaining ground but failing to unseat the government, as FrP's anti-immigration platform resonated amid debates over asylum policies and welfare sustainability.[72][73]
History
Establishment in 1814 and Constitutional Foundations
The Storting was established as Norway's supreme legislative assembly under the Constitution promulgated on 17 May 1814 by the Constituent Assembly convened at Eidsvoll. This assembly, comprising 112 delegates elected between February and August 1814 amid the dissolution of the Denmark-Norway union following the Treaty of Kiel on 14 January 1814, drafted the document to assert Norwegian sovereignty against Swedish claims. Influenced by Enlightenment principles including popular sovereignty and separation of powers, the Constitution positioned the Storting as the embodiment of legislative authority, distinct from executive (the King in Council) and judicial branches.[8][9][10] Article 49 of the Constitution vests all legislative power in the Storting, with members elected for three-year terms by male citizens aged 25 or older meeting property and residency qualifications, thereby limiting initial franchise to propertied men while establishing indirect representation through county-based constituencies. The body was designed as a semi-bicameral institution: following elections, the full assembly would divide into the Odelsting (three-quarters of members) for initial deliberations and the Lagting (one-quarter) for review, ensuring a checks-and-balances mechanism within parliament rather than a fully separate upper house. This structure facilitated debate on bills, which required passage in both chambers and royal assent, though the Storting could override a veto after two successive sessions.[11][12][9] Article 75 delineates the Storting's foundational powers, including the exclusive right to enact laws, levy taxes, approve budgets, contract loans, audit public accounts, and scrutinize government actions, thereby granting it budgetary supremacy and oversight over the executive. The parliament convenes annually on the first weekday of October in the capital (originally Christiania, now Oslo), unless relocated by the King in exceptional circumstances, underscoring its role as a continuous deliberative forum. Article 79 further mandates a three-day interval between first and second readings of bills to promote thorough consideration. Despite the personal union with Sweden ratified by a separate assembly in October-November 1814, these provisions preserved the Storting's domestic legislative independence, forming the bedrock of Norwegian parliamentary democracy.[11][8][9]Early Developments and Expansion (1814–1940)
The Storting convened its first session in October 1814, shortly after the adoption of the Norwegian Constitution on 17 May 1814, which established it as the supreme legislative assembly under the personal union with Sweden formalized on 4 November 1814.[13] This unicameral parliament divided into the Odelsting (lower chamber) and Lagting (upper chamber) solely for legislative deliberation and veto processes, a structural feature originating in the Constitution to balance scrutiny without creating separate elections or memberships.[14] Early sessions, held every three years, focused on asserting national autonomy, such as adopting the Norwegian flag in 1821, amid limited suffrage restricted to propertied males.[15] Without formalized parties until the late 19th century, deliberations proceeded through loose factions representing bureaucrats, merchants, and rural interests, reflecting the absence of organized political structures in the original Constitution.[16] The parliament's dedicated building in Oslo, designed by Emil Victor Langlet, began construction in 1860 and opened on 5 March 1866, symbolizing institutional permanence after prior sessions in temporary venues like the royal palace.[17] In 1871, the Storting shifted to annual meetings from triennial ones, enhancing continuous oversight of the executive and budget, which facilitated incremental expansions in legislative influence.[13] The 1884 impeachment and dismissal of the Selmer Government by the Storting entrenched parliamentarism, compelling cabinets to maintain majority support or face removal, a causal shift from crown-dominated to assembly-accountable governance.[13] Concurrently, the Conservative Party (Høyre) and Liberal Party (Venstre) emerged as the first organized groups, with constitutional amendments that year acknowledging parties, enabling structured opposition and coalition dynamics.[16] Further democratization included universal male suffrage in 1898 and women's enfranchisement in 1913, proportionally expanding voter bases and diversifying representation beyond elite classes.[13] In 1905, the Storting's resolution on 7 June dissolved the Swedish union after consular disputes escalated, securing full sovereignty and the election of Haakon VII, underscoring its role in foreign policy amid domestic consensus.[13] Ideological pluralism grew with the Labour Party's founding in 1887—gaining its first seat in 1903—the Farmers' Party in 1920, and others like the Liberal Left, reflecting socioeconomic shifts from agrarian to industrial bases.[16] By 1940, as German forces invaded on 9 April, the Storting had evolved into a robust, representative body, though operations ceased under occupation, preserving constitutional continuity through exile decisions.[15]World War II Occupation and Continuity
Nazi Germany's invasion of Norway commenced on April 9, 1940, leading to the rapid occupation of major cities including Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Narvik, which rendered the Storting inoperable as its members evacuated or went into hiding.[18] [19] On the same day, prior to full German control, the Storting convened an extraordinary session at Elverum and unanimously approved the Elverum Authorization, granting King Haakon VII and Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold's government plenary powers to protect Norway's interests and constitution during the crisis.[18] [20] This measure ensured executive continuity from exile in London, where the government operated until liberation, bypassing the need for ongoing parliamentary sessions amid the occupation.[18] Under the five-year occupation, no legitimate Storting meetings occurred, as Nazi authorities installed Vidkun Quisling's collaborationist regime on April 9, 1940—initially short-lived before its formal establishment as a puppet government in 1942—which dissolved existing institutions and suppressed democratic bodies.[18] [19] The Elverum Authorization maintained constitutional legitimacy externally, recognized by Allied powers, preventing a formal legislative vacuum and underscoring the Storting's foundational role in delegating authority rather than dissolving itself.[20] Internal resistance, including civil disobedience against Quisling's Nasjonal Samling party, preserved national sovereignty claims, though some Storting presidium members explored accommodations with occupiers, including proposals to request the king's resignation for negotiated peace—efforts ultimately rejected in favor of resistance.[21] Historian Øystein Sørensen documents these discussions among the presidium in summer 1940, attributing them to hopes of mitigating further destruction, but they did not alter the exile government's adherence to democratic continuity.[21] Liberation began with Germany's capitulation on May 8, 1945, allowing the Storting to reconvene on June 14, 1945, in three provisional sessions that year to address urgent reconstruction, validate the exile government's actions, and prepare for elections.[22] These proceedings affirmed the Elverum Authorization's efficacy in bridging the occupation gap, enabling seamless transition without constitutional rupture, as the Storting ratified wartime decrees and initiated purges against collaborators, with over 90,000 cases processed by 1948.[18] The episode reinforced the Storting's resilience, with post-war elections in October 1945 restoring full parliamentary functions under the 1814 Constitution, unaltered by occupation-era disruptions.[18]Post-War Reconstruction and Unicameral Reforms (1945–2009)
The Storting resumed operations shortly after Norway's liberation from German occupation in May 1945, convening its first post-war sessions on 14 June 1945 with three brief meetings held until autumn. These initial gatherings focused on restoring democratic institutions, addressing urgent administrative transitions from Allied oversight to Norwegian civilian control, and preparing for elections amid economic devastation from wartime plunder and infrastructure damage.[22][23] The parliamentary election of 8 October 1945 delivered a majority to the Labour Party, which captured 76 of the 150 seats, reflecting public support for centralized planning to rebuild the economy. Under this mandate, the Storting prioritized legislation emphasizing productive capacity over consumer goods, facilitating rapid recovery through state-directed investments in industry, shipping, and hydroelectric power. By 1948, the Storting approved participation in the Marshall Plan, securing U.S. aid equivalent to about 175-200 million USD annually until 1950, which funded reconstruction and modernization efforts that exceeded targets ahead of schedule. Norway's GDP growth averaged over 4% annually in the early 1950s, underscoring the effectiveness of these parliamentary measures in averting prolonged postwar hardship.[19][24][25] Throughout the mid-20th century, the Storting, often under Labour-led coalitions, enacted foundational welfare reforms, including national insurance systems and regional development policies that relied on active state intervention rather than market-led approaches. Membership expanded from 150 to 165 seats in 1973 to accommodate population growth and enhanced representation. The bicameral structure—dividing the assembly into Odelsting and Lagting solely for final bill votes—persisted de jure, though plenary sessions handled most deliberations, rendering it effectively unicameral in practice.[26] Debates on procedural efficiency intensified in the 2000s, culminating in a constitutional amendment proposed in 2004 to abolish the formal division. On 20 February 2007, the Storting approved the change by a vote of 159-1, eliminating the Odelsting-Lagting split effective after the 2009 election, thereby formalizing a fully unicameral system to reduce redundancy and accelerate lawmaking without altering legislative powers. This reform aligned Norway's structure with pragmatic governance needs, as the prior setup had yielded minimal substantive checks since the 19th century.[27][28]Contemporary Evolution and Seat Adjustments
The 2009 parliamentary election marked the full implementation of the Storting's unicameral structure, following constitutional amendments passed on February 20, 2007, which abolished the division between the Odelsting and Lagting chambers previously used for bill processing.[29] This shift eliminated the requirement for bills to pass through separate assemblies, consolidating all legislative deliberations, committee reviews, and final votes into a single plenary body.[12] Concurrently, the total number of seats was increased from 165 to 169 to enhance electoral proportionality, with 150 seats distributed among 19 multi-member constituencies based on modified Sainte-Laguë proportional representation and 19 national leveling seats allocated to parties whose seat totals from constituency results underrepresented their nationwide vote shares.[30] [31] These leveling seats, one per constituency, address disproportionality arising from the district-based allocation, ensuring that no party receives fewer seats than warranted by at least 4% of the national vote.[4] Since 2009, the 169-seat configuration has remained unchanged across subsequent elections in 2013, 2017, 2021, and the 2025 vote, with the electoral system maintaining its dual-layer structure of constituency and leveling seats without further numerical adjustments.[31] [32] Minor refinements to electoral procedures, such as clarifications in vote counting and candidacy rules, have occurred, but the core seat allocation mechanism persists to balance local representation with national proportionality.[33] The unicameral framework has facilitated consistent multi-party compositions, with ten parties holding seats after the 2021 election, underscoring the system's capacity to accommodate fragmented political landscapes without structural overhauls.[34] This stability reflects a deliberate design prioritizing proportional outcomes over frequent reconfiguration, as evidenced by the absence of proposals for seat expansions or reductions in parliamentary debates post-2009.[35]Constitutional Powers and Functions
Legislative Supremacy and Lawmaking
The Storting exercises legislative supremacy in Norway, as Article 3 of the Constitution of 1814 vests legislative power exclusively in the parliament, with no competing legislative bodies empowered to enact binding laws.[8] This principle underscores the Storting's role as the sovereign authority for lawmaking, subject only to constitutional constraints and judicial review of laws for conformity with the Constitution itself, a practice formalized and strengthened in the early 21st century.[36] Unlike federal systems or those with bicameral veto powers, the Storting's unicameral structure—fully implemented after the 2009 constitutional amendment abolishing the prior division into Odelsting and Lagting for legislative processing—ensures that parliamentary majorities can enact legislation without dilution by secondary chambers.[8] The core of the Storting's lawmaking function involves adopting, amending, and repealing statutes across domains such as civil, criminal, administrative, and economic policy, with approximately 100–150 bills submitted annually, the vast majority originating from the Government as propositus.[37] Members of the Storting (representanter) may also initiate private member's bills, though these succeed far less frequently, typically comprising fewer than 10% of enacted laws in recent sessions.[37] Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority in the Storting and a subsequent election to confirm public support, as per Article 121, preventing unilateral changes by transient majorities.[11] Upon passage by simple majority (or qualified majorities for specified matters like taxation under Article 75), bills receive formal royal sanction under Article 79, a ceremonial step where the monarch, acting on ministerial advice, has not withheld assent since the Constitution's adoption, rendering effective veto power nonexistent in practice.[11] This process affirms the Storting's de facto autonomy in lawmaking, enabling it to override executive proposals or inertias through budgetary levers and statutory mandates, as evidenced by its annual approval of the national budget, which allocates state revenues and expenditures.[36]Executive Oversight and Budgetary Control
The Storting exercises executive oversight primarily through mechanisms designed to ensure accountability of the Government and public administration to parliamentary decisions. These include regular questioning of ministers via oral questions during dedicated sessions and formal interpellations, which compel ministers to respond and engage in debate on policy implementation or administrative matters.[38] The Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs plays a central role, reviewing government reports, documents, and audits to verify compliance with Storting resolutions, and it holds hearings to investigate administrative practices or potential misconduct.[39] A key instrument of control is the motion of no confidence, where the Storting can formally express lack of trust in the Government or an individual minister, requiring resignation if passed by majority vote; this has been invoked successfully on rare occasions, such as in 1963 and 1971, underscoring its potency despite infrequent use.[40] The Government may also seek a vote of confidence on specific issues, tying its survival to the outcome, which reinforces parliamentary leverage over executive actions.[41] In budgetary control, the Storting holds ultimate authority over state finances, approving the annual Fiscal Budget proposed by the Government through Proposition No. 1, submitted shortly after the parliamentary session opens, with final resolution required by December 31.[42] The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs establishes binding spending ceilings across expenditure categories by November 30, limiting reallocations during subsequent deliberations and typically resulting in amendments of less than 1% to the original proposal.[42] Additional oversight occurs via review of the Revised National Budget submitted in June, allowing adjustments for economic changes while maintaining fiscal discipline through committee scrutiny.[42] Opposition parties influence priorities by submitting alternative budgets, though the majority's vote determines passage.[42]Judicial and International Roles
The Storting exercises limited judicial authority primarily through its role in initiating and overseeing impeachment proceedings against members of the Council of State (government ministers) or Supreme Court justices for violations of the Constitution or laws. Under Article 86 of the Norwegian Constitution, the Storting brings charges before the Court of Impeachment (Riksrett), which consists of five Supreme Court justices as professional judges and six lay judges elected by the Storting for six-year terms from among its own members or former members.[43] The Court's judgments are final, with no appeal possible, and convictions can result in dismissal from office or disqualification from future positions.[36] This mechanism serves as a check on executive and judicial misconduct, though it has been invoked rarely; notable cases include the 1820s impeachments of ministers under King Charles III John and the 1990s proceedings against a justice.[38] The Storting's Control and Constitution Committee plays a preparatory role by investigating potential impeachable offenses and recommending charges, empowered to compel testimony and documents from officials.[38] Beyond impeachment, the Storting lacks direct adjudicative powers, adhering to the constitutional separation of powers where the judiciary operates independently through the Supreme Court and lower courts.[36] This structure ensures parliamentary oversight without encroaching on routine judicial functions, reflecting Norway's emphasis on rule of law since the 1814 Constitution. In international affairs, the Storting approves treaties and agreements negotiated by the government, particularly those requiring legislative changes, constitutional amendments, or affecting sovereignty, as stipulated in Article 26 of the Constitution. The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence reviews foreign policy matters, including NATO commitments, development aid, and defense procurement, providing scrutiny through hearings and reports.[44] The government delivers annual foreign policy addresses to the Storting, enabling parliamentary debate and influence over priorities like Arctic security and European Economic Area (EEA) adaptations, given Norway's non-EU status.[45] This oversight extends to auditing international engagements, ensuring alignment with national interests without granting the Storting direct executive authority in diplomacy.[38]Legislative Procedure
Bill Initiation and Committee Review
Bills in the Storting are initiated either by the Government through a Proposition to the Storting or by individual members of parliament via Private Members' Bills. Government propositions, numbering approximately 100 to 150 annually, originate from extensive preparatory work, including the formation of expert commissions that produce Official Norwegian Reports (NOUs, or green papers) for public consultation, followed by ministry drafting of the bill or an accompanying Ot.prp. (white paper report), and final approval by the King in Council before submission.[37][46] Private Members' Bills, in contrast, are drafted by one or more MPs, often with support from parliamentary legal services or external experts, and must be formally presented at the opening of a Storting sitting to enter the agenda.[37] This dual initiation pathway aligns with Article 76 of the Constitution of Norway (1814), which stipulates that every bill shall first be proposed in the Storting by one of its members or by the Government through a member of the Council of State.[47] Upon introduction during the first reading, the Storting debates the bill briefly and votes on its merits, typically referring it to one or more relevant standing committees for in-depth scrutiny unless it is rejected outright or deemed non-controversial.[37][46] The standing committees, numbering 13 as of the 2021–2025 term and comprising members allocated proportionally by party representation, conduct detailed reviews that include hearings with government officials, experts, interest groups, and affected parties; analysis of fiscal impacts; and consideration of amendments.[37] Committee chairs, elected based on the largest party's representation in that committee, lead these proceedings to ensure orderly examination.[46] The outcome of committee review is a formal recommendation (Innstilling til Stortinget), which summarizes the bill's content, proposed amendments, dissenting opinions from minority members, and the committee's collective advice on adoption, rejection, or modification.[46] This document serves as the basis for the second reading in the Storting plenary, where debate focuses on the committee's findings rather than rehashing the original proposal, thereby streamlining the process while incorporating specialized input.[37] Recommendations must adhere to the Storting's Rules of Procedure, which require advance notification of significant amendments and prohibit substantive changes without committee vetting, ensuring procedural rigor and reducing opportunities for unstructured alterations.[46] If the second reading yields substantial amendments diverging from the first, a third reading is mandated after at least three days to resolve differences, with the Storting voting to adopt, reject, or shelve the bill with comments for future sessions.[37][47]Debates, Voting, and Passage
The legislative process in the Storting culminates in plenary debates and votes during three readings, following committee review of a bill.[37] In the first reading, the Storting debates the standing committee's recommendation on the bill, which includes proposed amendments or rejection; debate focuses on substantive issues, with speaking time distributed based on proposals from the originating committee or the Presidium.[37] [48] A simple majority vote of members present then decides whether to approve the recommendation and advance the bill; rejection ends the process.[37] If approved, a second reading occurs after a minimum three-day interval to allow further consideration.[37] Debate here addresses any unresolved issues or new amendments, again under time allocations set by committee proposal or Presidium decision, emphasizing policy implications and alternatives.[37] [48] Another simple majority vote follows; passage at this stage typically finalizes the bill as an act, subject to royal assent, unless the vote introduces changes diverging from the first reading, triggering a third reading.[37] The optional third reading, held at least three days after the second, involves final debate on adopted amendments and a conclusive vote.[37] Approval by simple majority confirms passage, with the bill then transmitted to the monarch for formal assent, countersigned by the Prime Minister, effectuating it as law without veto power under the Constitution.[37] [11] Voting in plenary is governed by the Storting's Rules of Procedure, primarily using electronic systems for efficiency on bills and motions, recording individual votes transparently.[49] Alternative methods—such as acclamation, show of hands, or roll call—may be employed if a member requests and the Storting approves by majority, particularly for sensitive or contested matters; roll call starts alphabetically from a randomly selected member.[49] [50] A quorum of more than half the members is required for votes to proceed, ensuring representativeness.[49] These procedures, streamlined since the 2009 unicameral reform eliminating Odelsting-Lagting divisions, prioritize majority rule while accommodating debate rigor.[37]Royal Assent and Potential Vetoes
After a bill has been approved by the Storting in two consecutive sessions, it is forwarded to the King for royal assent, as required by Article 77 of the Constitution of Norway.[11] The King, acting in the Council of State, reviews the legislation, and upon approval under Article 78, appends his signature, which is countersigned by the Prime Minister, thereby enacting it as law for publication in the Norsk Lovtidend (Norwegian Law Gazette).[11][37] If the King withholds assent, the bill is returned to the Storting with an explanatory message, allowing for potential reconsideration.[11] Article 79 further limits this prerogative by stipulating that should the same bill pass through the identical process in a subsequent Storting following a general election, it acquires the force of law without requiring royal approval.[11] This mechanism establishes a suspensive veto, preventing absolute monarchical override while preserving ceremonial involvement. Historically, the veto power has rarely been invoked post-independence. The final notable instance occurred on 7 February 1905, when King Oscar II of the Sweden-Norway union refused assent to a Storting bill establishing an independent Norwegian consular service, escalating tensions that led to the union's dissolution on 7 June 1905 and the ascension of King Haakon VII. Since the establishment of Norway's sovereign monarchy in November 1905, no King has withheld assent to Storting legislation, rendering the process a formal affirmation aligned with parliamentary sovereignty in the constitutional framework.[36]Internal Organization
Presidium and Parliamentary Leadership
The Presidium constitutes the Storting's formal leadership, comprising the President and five Vice Presidents elected by secret ballot at the commencement of each four-year term, typically on the second Thursday after the opening session.[51] The President serves as chair, with the First Vice President as deputy; a quorum requires at least three members.[49] These positions are allocated through inter-party negotiations, often reflecting the balance of seats, though formally determined by plenary vote.[51] The Presidium's core functions involve administering parliamentary business, scheduling debates and sittings, and enforcing the Storting's Rules of Procedure and the Constitution.[35] It oversees procedural matters during plenary sessions, with the President presiding and Vice Presidents substituting as needed, and coordinates administrative support via the Storting's Secretary General.[49] The body also safeguards legislative-executive equilibrium by vetting government communications and ensuring parliamentary prerogatives under Article 75 of the Constitution.[51] Beyond the Presidium, parliamentary leadership includes the chairs of party groups (fraksjonsledere), who direct intra-party coordination, propose committee assignments, and negotiate cross-party alliances on legislation.[52] These leaders, selected internally by each party's Storting delegation, influence agenda-setting and coalition dynamics but lack the Presidium's procedural authority.[53] In the 2025–2029 term, following the September 8 election, the Storting re-elected Masud Gharahkhani (Labour Party) as President on October 10, 2025, continuing his tenure from the prior session amid the centre-left bloc's majority retention.[54] The Vice Presidents, drawn proportionally from major parties including Progress and Conservatives, support this continuity in leadership.[54]Standing and Special Committees
The Storting's legislative and oversight work is primarily conducted through 12 permanent standing committees, each aligned with the policy areas of corresponding government ministries.[55] These committees prepare the majority of matters for plenary deliberation by summarizing proposals, providing expert commentary, holding public hearings when necessary, and recommending decisions to the full assembly.[55] With sizes ranging from 8 to 18 members, the committees ensure specialized scrutiny of bills, budget items, and government reports, contributing to the parliament's detailed policy evaluation process.[55] Membership in standing committees is allocated by a 37-member Election Committee, elected at the start of each parliamentary term to reflect proportional party representation and regional balance across Norway's constituencies.[55] Parliamentary party groups propose their members for specific committees, subject to approval by the Election Committee, ensuring that all 169 Storting members serve on exactly one standing committee.[55] Each committee elects its own chair, first vice-chair, and second vice-chair from among its members, facilitating internal leadership for ongoing operations.[55] Among the standing committees, the Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs holds a distinctive role as the only one empowered to initiate its own matters, including formal inquiries into public administration practices and constitutional compliance.[39] This authority enables independent investigations into government actions, enhancing parliamentary oversight beyond reactive bill reviews.[39] In addition to standing committees, the Storting may establish special committees on an ad hoc basis for exceptional circumstances, such as addressing a singular issue requiring focused examination outside standard policy remits.[56] These temporary bodies are formed only when deemed necessary by the assembly and dissolve upon completing their mandate, maintaining flexibility without altering the core standing structure.[56] Procedural committees, numbering four, handle internal functions like elections and credentials, supporting the operational framework rather than substantive policy.[56]Administrative Bodies and Party Caucuses
The Presidium serves as the Storting's highest administrative body, responsible for planning and organizing parliamentary activities, ensuring adherence to the Norwegian Constitution and the Storting's Rules of Procedure, and maintaining the constitutional balance between the legislature and the executive.[51] It comprises the President, who chairs the body and presides over sittings, along with five Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and a Vice Secretary, all elected at the opening of each parliamentary session on October 10.[51] The President represents the Storting in domestic and international capacities and promotes awareness of its democratic functions.[51] Supporting the Presidium is the Storting's central administration, headed by the Secretary General, who acts as secretary to the Presidium and oversees operational matters.[57] As of October 2025, the administration employs approximately 500 staff and is structured into seven departments—Executive Office, Security and Preparedness, International, IT, Communications, Constitutional, Property and General Services, and Administrative Affairs—along with 34 sections handling specialized functions such as human resources, finance, IT support, international relations, and facility management.[57] The Executive Office, for instance, provides secretarial and clerical assistance directly to the Presidium and members.[57] Party caucuses in the Storting, known as parliamentary party groups or fraksjoner, are formed by each political party holding seats and serve to coordinate intra-party activities, including strategy, committee assignments, and voting discipline.[58] These groups elect internal leaders, termed fraksjonsledere, who direct their party's efforts in specific standing committees and plenary sessions; for example, following the 2025 election, parties such as the Progress Party and Labour Party allocated fraksjonsledere across committees like finance and foreign affairs during their group meetings in early October.[59][60] Public funding supports these groups, with guidelines updated in November 2020 to regulate the use of grants for administrative and operational purposes, ensuring transparency in party parliamentary operations.[58] In the 2025–2029 term, nine parties maintain such groups, reflecting the proportional representation system's multiparty composition.Electoral Framework
Proportional Representation System
The Storting's electoral system utilizes proportional representation to allocate its 169 seats, combining district-level and national adjustments to reflect parties' vote shares while maintaining local representation. Norway is divided into 19 multi-member constituencies, corresponding to its counties (except for Oslo and Akershus, which are adjusted for population density), with seats apportioned based on population and land area; each constituency elects between 4 and 20 representatives, totaling 150 constituency seats distributed proportionally within districts using party-list voting.[4][3] Voters select a pre-printed party ballot in a closed-list system, where candidates are ordered by party leadership without voter preference input; seats in each constituency are then allocated via the modified Sainte-Laguë method, which applies successive divisors starting with 1.4 (followed by 3, 5, 7, etc.) to parties' vote totals to determine quotients, awarding seats to the highest averages iteratively.[3] This modification, with the initial divisor of 1.4, slightly favors larger parties over pure Sainte-Laguë but remains more equitable for smaller ones than divisor methods like d'Hondt.[3] To correct for disproportionality arising from varying constituency sizes and regional vote concentrations, 19 leveling seats (known as utjevningsmandater)—one per constituency—are distributed nationally; these are assigned to eligible parties using the same modified Sainte-Laguë method on national vote aggregates, prioritizing parties that received fewer constituency seats relative to their overall support.[4][3] Eligibility for leveling seats requires a party to secure at least 4% of the national vote, though parties below this threshold can still win constituency seats if they achieve sufficient local support, enabling niche regional representation.[4][3] This dual-tier structure, implemented since the 1921 election to replace the prior majoritarian single-member districts, promotes a multi-party parliament by minimizing wasted votes and encouraging coalition governance, as no single party has secured an absolute majority since 1961.[34][31] The system's design balances geographic accountability with national proportionality, though critics note that the 4% threshold and modified divisors can disadvantage very small or ideologically fragmented parties.[34]Constituency Allocation and Voting Mechanics
Norway divides the country into 19 multi-member constituencies, corresponding to its traditional county boundaries, for the allocation of 150 constituency seats in Storting elections.[61] These seats are distributed among the constituencies proportionally to population size, with adjustments via a population-area formula that allocates additional representation to sparsely populated northern and rural districts to account for geographic challenges.[61] Each constituency elects a minimum of four representatives, with larger urban areas receiving more; for the 2021–2025 term, examples include Oslo and Akershus each with 20 seats, while smaller districts like Finnmark have four.[3] The total of 150 seats reflects periodic reapportionment based on census data and electoral law, ensuring representation aligns with demographic shifts without frequent boundary changes.[61] Voters in Storting elections cast a single secret ballot for a political party by selecting the corresponding pre-printed ballot paper in a private polling booth, then folding and depositing it into a ballot box after official stamping.[3] Advance voting is permitted from early July for those abroad or in institutions, with regular early voting from mid-August, but all ballots must be cast by election day, typically a Monday in September.[3] Since amendments to the Election Act in May 2024, party lists are closed, prohibiting voters from altering candidate orders or striking names, which simplifies counting but reduces personalization compared to prior semi-open systems where preference votes could influence rankings if a candidate received at least 8% of the party's constituency votes.[61] Parties submit ordered lists of candidates per constituency in advance, and voter turnout is verified via national ID numbers to prevent duplicates.[3] Within each constituency, the 150 seats are allocated proportionally to parties' vote shares using the modified Sainte-Laguë method, which applies divisors starting at 1.4 to favor larger parties slightly while maintaining proportionality in multi-member districts.[3] Seats are assigned to the top candidates on each party's list until the quota is filled, with no national threshold required for winning constituency mandates—small parties can secure representation locally even with under 4% nationwide support.[61] This district-level allocation often results in some disproportionality due to the small size of many constituencies, which the system mitigates through 19 leveling seats (utjevningsmandater), one allocated per constituency to the party best positioned to correct national imbalances.[61] Leveling seats go only to parties surpassing a 4% national vote threshold, using the Sainte-Laguë method across all parties' adjusted national totals after deducting district wins, ensuring the final 169-seat composition closely mirrors nationwide vote proportions.[3]Thresholds, Levelling Seats, and Reforms
The Norwegian parliamentary electoral system employs a 4% national vote threshold, known as the sperregrense, which determines eligibility for levelling seats; parties failing to meet this threshold cannot receive such seats but remain eligible to win constituency seats based on local vote shares.[3][4] This threshold, applied uniformly to the nationwide vote total excluding overseas and certain institutional votes, aims to balance proportionality with stability by limiting fragmentation from minor parties in the adjustment phase, though it has drawn criticism for potentially underrepresenting smaller parties with regional strength, as seen in cases like the Green Party's near-miss in 2021 with 3.94%.[4] Levelling seats, numbering 19 and allocated at the national level, correct disproportionalities arising from the initial distribution of 150 constituency seats across 19 multi-member districts, ensuring overall seat shares more closely reflect national vote proportions.[3][4] Districts, delineated by former county boundaries and adjusted for population and area (with each guaranteed at least four seats when including its levelling allocation), first allocate seats using the modified Sainte-Laguë method with an initial divisor of 1.4 to favor larger parties modestly.[3] Levelling then proceeds nationally: eligible parties (those exceeding 4%) receive additional seats via party lists if their district wins underrepresent their national vote, minimizing the largest remainder deviation from proportionality; these seats are notionally "one per district" but distributed to optimize the fit, with candidates drawn from national or district surplus lists.[3][4] This two-tier mechanism, yielding a total of 169 seats, achieves high proportionality—typically under 2% deviation—while preserving local representation, though it can amplify larger parties' advantages in district phases.[3] Major reforms to the system originated with the 1920 constitutional amendment adopting proportional representation for the 1921 election, replacing the prior single-member district plurality system to reduce winner-take-all distortions amid rising multiparty competition.[4] Levelling seats were integrated early in the PR era to enhance national proportionality, with the 4% threshold formalized later to curb excessive fragmentation.[4] Subsequent adjustments include seat expansions—for instance, from 165 to 169 in 2005 alongside constituency realignments—and a 2024 amendment to the Election Act (effective post-May 2024) prohibiting voter alterations to parliamentary candidate lists, shifting from flexible to closed lists to streamline counting while retaining open lists for municipal elections.[4] These changes reflect ongoing efforts to adapt to demographic shifts and administrative efficiency without altering core proportionality, though proposals for threshold reductions or district consolidations have periodically surfaced amid debates on representation equity.[4]Elections and Historical Composition
Pre-Proportional Era (1814–1920)
The Storting was established as Norway's unicameral national legislature by the Constitution of Norway, adopted on 17 May 1814 amid the country's transition from Danish rule to a personal union with Sweden.[13] The first parliamentary elections occurred in 1815, yielding 117 members elected from rural and urban constituencies under an indirect system where qualified voters selected local electors, who in turn chose representatives via plurality voting in multi-member districts.[62] This framework persisted through 31 elections until 1903, emphasizing winner-take-all outcomes that favored established elites and limited representation of smaller factions, with no formal political parties until the 1880s.[62] Voting rights under the 1814 Constitution were restricted to men aged 25 or older who met property, income, or civil service qualifications, encompassing roughly 45,000 eligible voters out of a population exceeding 880,000—about 5% adult male participation.[63] Reforms gradually broadened suffrage: taxpayers gained eligibility in 1884, followed by universal male suffrage in 1898 for men over 25 (excluding those on poor relief), nearly doubling the electorate to over 400,000.[13][63] Limited female suffrage arrived in 1907 for property-owning women with independent income, affecting fewer than 200,000, before full universal suffrage for women over 25 was enacted in 1913.[62][13] These expansions aligned with the parliamentary system's consolidation in 1884, which curtailed the Swedish king's veto power and empowered the Storting to select governments based on majority support.[62] Post-1905 independence from Sweden prompted a shift to direct elections in 1906, employing a two-round runoff system in predominantly single-member districts to address disproportionate outcomes from pure plurality voting; candidates needed an absolute majority in the first round or a runoff between top contenders.[62] Membership grew with population, reaching 123 seats by the early 1900s and 126 by 1918 across 82 rural and 41 urban districts, though malapportionment favored rural areas.[62] Legislatively, the Storting operated unicamerally for most functions but divided into the Odelsting (three-quarters of members) for initial bills and the Lagting (one-quarter) for review, requiring reconciliation for passage—a procedure reflecting the constitution's original design for checks without a fully bicameral structure.[62] Elections occurred every three years until reforms in the 1920s, with turnout varying from 50-70% among eligibles, influenced by rural mobilization and urban abstention.[62] By the late 1910s, the runoff system's tendency to produce fragmented majorities—exacerbated by rising party competition between Venstre liberals and Høyre conservatives—spurred debate on electoral reform, culminating in 1919 legislation adopting proportional representation effective 1921 to better reflect voter pluralism.[62] Throughout this era, Storting compositions remained dominated by farmers, officials, and professionals, with limited turnover due to incumbency advantages and indirect/local influences in candidate selection.[62]Proportional Elections from 1921 Onward
The proportional representation system for Storting elections was enacted in 1920 and first applied in the 1921 parliamentary election held on 24 October, replacing the prior indirect and runoff-based system with direct multi-member district voting and the D'Hondt method for seat allocation across 150 total seats. This reform, driven by demands for fairer representation amid rising socialist influence and party fragmentation, increased the effective number of parties from around three under the old system to approximately four, allowing smaller groups like the nascent Labour Party to secure legislative footholds despite limited district-level dominance.[62][64] In the 1921 election, the Liberal Party (Venstre) won 52 seats (about 35% of the total), the Conservative Party (Høyre) 38 seats, and the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 27 seats, with remaining seats divided among agrarian and social-democratic factions; voter turnout reached 67.5%, reflecting initial adaptation to the new mechanics. The interwar decades saw Labour's steady ascent, fueled by urban working-class mobilization and economic shifts, gaining to 31% of seats by 1930 and forming coalitions by 1935 amid Depression-era instability. Post-1945, Labour capitalized on reconstruction consensus, securing absolute majorities of 76 seats (51%) in 1945 and 85 seats (57%) in 1949, establishing a dominant position that persisted through welfare state expansion until the 1960s.[65][62] Methodological refinements enhanced proportionality over time: the 1953 switch to the Modified Sainte-Laguë divisor system, which weights smaller parties more generously than D'Hondt, reduced bias toward large blocs while maintaining district incentives. Total seats expanded gradually to 157 by 1973, then stabilized, with constituency magnitudes varying from 4 to 15 seats to balance local representation against national equity. The 1989 reforms introduced a 4% national vote threshold to curb extreme fragmentation—excluding parties below it from levelling seats unless winning a district—and added 8 (later expanded to 19) national levelling seats, allocated proportionally to compensate for district-level disproportionalities, yielding one of Europe's most proportional outcomes with Gallagher indices typically under 3%. These adjustments correlated with the entry of new competitors, such as the anti-tax Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) in 1973, which disrupted the traditional Labour-Liberal-Conservative-Agrarian tetrarchy, raising the effective number of parties to 5-6.[62][66] Since the 1980s, elections every four years have featured persistent multi-party fragmentation, with no single party exceeding 35% of seats post-1949, necessitating minority governments or coalitions reliant on ad hoc support from centrist or green parties. Turnout has averaged over 77%, supported by compulsory municipal administration and absentee options, though rural-urban malapportionment—stemming from higher seat quotients in populous areas—has drawn critique for mildly favoring peripheral districts. The system's closed-list structure emphasizes parties over individuals, with national vote shares driving levelling adjustments, fostering policy-oriented competition but occasional instability in government formation.[62][16]2025 Election Results and Shifts
The 2025 Norwegian parliamentary election occurred on 8 September 2025, with voter turnout reaching approximately 80% of the 4.06 million eligible voters.[67] The Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet, Ap), led by incumbent Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, emerged as the largest party with 28.0% of the vote, an increase of 1.8 percentage points from 2021, translating to 902,296 votes.[67] This performance allowed the centre-left bloc—comprising Labour, the Socialist Left Party (SV), the Centre Party (Sp), and Red (Rødt)—to secure a parliamentary majority of 89 seats out of 169, enabling Støre's minority government to continue in power without immediate need for a formal coalition.[68][69] A defining feature of the election was the dramatic resurgence of the right-wing Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet, FrP), which quadrupled its 2021 support to achieve 23.8% and 767,903 votes, marking its strongest result in history and positioning it as the second-largest party.[67][70] This surge, attributed by analysts to voter concerns over immigration, energy policy, and economic pressures amid high oil prices, came at the expense of the Conservative Party (Høyre, H), which fell to 14.6% (-5.7 points) with 471,602 votes.[69] The Centre Party (Sp) experienced the sharpest decline, dropping to 5.6% (-7.9 points) and 179,994 votes, reflecting rural discontent with the government's handling of regional issues and EU-related policies.[67]| Party | Vote Share (%) | Change from 2021 (pp) | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour (Ap) | 28.0 | +1.8 | 902,296[67] |
| Progress (FrP) | 23.8 | +12.2 | 767,903[67] |
| Conservative (H) | 14.6 | -5.7 | 471,602[67] |
| Socialist Left (SV) | 5.6 | -2.0 | 181,192[67] |
| Centre (Sp) | 5.6 | -7.9 | 179,994[67] |
| Red (Rødt) | 5.3 | +0.6 | 171,342[67] |
| Green (MDG) | 4.7 | +0.8 | 152,782[67] |
| Christian Democratic (KrF) | 4.2 | +0.4 | 135,230[67] |
| Liberal (V) | 3.7 | -0.9 | 118,941[67] |