Norway

J

3

Communications

Until 1981 radio and television broadcasting in Norway were monopolized by the state agency NRK. Since then, a growing number of privately owned radio and television broadcasters have competed with NRK, attracting substantial audiences. Norway has one of the world’s highest rates of newspaper readership, with most households receiving more than one paper. The newspaper industry is heavily subsidized by the government. In the past most major daily newspapers were associated with political parties; today, they are largely independent but they remain openly partisan. Important dailies include VG, Aftenposten, and Dagbladet.

Until 1998 the Norwegian state maintained a monopoly on the telecommunications industry. The industry was deregulated to meet requirements for participating in the single market of the European Union (EU). The state still owns most of the telecommunications infrastructure, but private companies—from small local companies to international telecommunications giants—are now permitted to offer services in a competitive marketplace.

V

Government

Norway is a constitutional monarchy, with a monarch as head of state and a democratically elected government. The constitution was enacted on May 17, 1814. Although this document has been amended many times, the principal features remain unchanged.

The Norwegian monarchy is hereditary and descends to the oldest royal child. The monarch’s formal powers are nominal. The monarch makes all governmental appointments on the recommendation of the party or coalition in power, provides a dignified presence on ceremonial occasions, and presides at formal weekly meetings of the government. The monarch may not dissolve the government.

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A

Executive

Executive power is exercised by a prime minister on behalf of the monarch. The prime minister, who is formally appointed by the monarch, is usually the leader of the largest party or coalition in the parliament. The cabinet, called the Council of State, consists of the prime minister and about 19 ministers who head the chief ministries. The cabinet is collectively responsible for administration policy, although each minister retains the right of public dissent on any specific issue. Cabinet ministers must be approved by the majority party or coalition in the parliament. Ministers are entitled to take part in parliamentary debates but may not vote. Civil service posts are filled by competitive examination.

B

Legislative

Legislative power resides with the parliament, called the Storting. It consists of 169 members elected by a system of proportional representation to four-year terms. All citizens aged 18 and older may vote in elections. At its first meeting the Storting elects roughly one-quarter of its members to an upper house, the Lagting, and the remainder to the lower house, the Odelsting. The two chambers are chosen so that the same party strength is maintained in each chamber, preserving representation of all parties based on their electoral performance.

All new bills, usually part of the cabinet’s program, are presented by a member of the Odelsting. If passed by the Odelsting, the bill is then considered by the Lagting. If the Lagting rejects the bill, the Odelsting may press for passage a second time. If the two houses still disagree, the full Storting meets and a two-thirds vote is required to pass the bill. The Storting also considers budget proposals, constitutional amendments, and important financial and political questions that are not new bills. Amendments to the constitution require approval by a two-thirds majority of the Storting in two successive sittings.

C

Judiciary

Norway’s highest court is the Supreme Court, or Høyesterett, consisting of a president and 17 judges. Cases are heard by a panel of five justices.

Below the Supreme Court are five regional courts of appeal, the Lagmannsrett. These lower courts, which are composed of three judges each, hear both civil and criminal cases. Below the regional courts are town and district courts, each headed by a professional magistrate, who may be assisted by lay judges. Each town also has a local mediation council (forliksraad), elected by the municipal council, to settle a wide range of civil cases. If mediation fails, the case is appealed to a higher court. Apart from mediation councils, all judges are appointed by the monarch. Norway abolished capital punishment for all crimes in 1979.

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