GOVERNMENT

SYSTEM OF
NORWAY
Volume 1 / Issue 1

BACKGROUND

THE KING
Harold V of Norway
Since 1991
As Head of State, the King is
the unifying symbol of all
state authority. He opens
each new session of the
Storting; he presides over
meetings of the Council of
State and approves all
decisions made there; he is
the host when other Heads of
State make official visits to
Norway and himself makes
state visits to other countries
(How is Norway governed?).

The Constitution was adopted in 1814 and dictates Norways

politics. Norway is considered a monarchy in which the power
is divided between three branches.
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions called counties
and 428 municipalities. The capital, Oslo, is considered a
county and a municipality.

Prime
Minister
of
Norway
Erna
Solberg
She is head
of the
government
and
appointed
by the
monarch
with the
approval of
the
Storting.

Alt for Norge King Haakon VII

NORWAYS THREE BRANCHES
Legislative branch which is responsible for appropriations, the
Storting. Members of the 169-seat Storting are popularly
elected to four-year terms.
Executive branch, known as the Government. The
Government is formed by the party/parties that have a majority
of the seats in the Storting or constitute a minority capable of
governing (How is Norway governed?).
Judicial branch comprised of the courts. The three types of
courts are the Supreme Court, the District Courts and the
Courts of Appeal.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

The Office of the Prime Minister and the ministries serve the Government.
The Office of the Prime Minister assists the Prime Minister in coordinating
the work of the Government and is considered the central office for the entire
Government. The ministries assist the ministers in running the various
sectors of the government administration (How is Norway governed?).

SOURCES
How is Norway governed? (n.d.). Retrieved April 04, 2016, from
https://www.regjeringen.no/en/the-government/the-government-at-work1/id85844/