Norway and Norwegian News

Country Profile

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway,is Europe's Northernmost country.Norway is divided into 19 first-level Administrative Counties.The counties are administrated through directly elected county assemblies who elect the County Governor.The counties are then sub-divided into 430 second-level Municipalities which in turn are administrated by directly elected municipal council, headed by a Mayor and a small executive cabinet. The capital of Oslo is considered both a County and a Municipality.

Capital                             Oslo

Currency                          Norwegian Krone                  

Official Language              Norwegian          

Population                        5 Million(2012 Estimate)

History

Dissolution of the Union between Norway and Sweden in 1905

The Parliament of Norway broke the personal union with Sweden under the House of Bernadotte on June 07,1905. Negotiation between Norway and Sweden led to Norway's recognition by Sweden asan Independent Constitutional Monarchy on Oct 26,1905 on which date King Oscar II renounced his claim to the Norweigian Throne and effectively dissolved the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway.

In Nov 1905,Norweigian Voters decided by a nearly 79 % majority to establish a Monarchy instead of a Republic.Following the mandate,the Parliament by an overwhelming majority offered PrinceCarl of Denmark (Aug 03,1872 -Sep 21,1957)a clear mandate to the Norwegian throne on Nov 18,1905, and the Prince accepted the same evening, choosing the name HaakonVII, a traditional name used by Norwegian kings. (The last king with that name was Haakon VI who died in the year 1380)

Politics and Government

Norway is a Parliamentary Representative Democratic Constitutional Monarchy. 

Executive Power is exercised by the King's Council, theCabinet, led by the Prime Minister of Norway.

Legislative Power is vested in both the Govt and the Storting(Parliament of Norway), elected within a Multi party System.. 

The Judiciary is independent of the executive branch and the legislature

Monarchy of Norway

The Norwegian monarch or Sovereign is the Head of State of Norway

Harald V is the Current Monarch from Jan 17,1991(succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olaf V).The Royal House is a branch of the Princely family of Glucksburg, originally from Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. 

Prime Minister of Norway

The Council of State is formally convened by the Reigning Monarch. The Council of State consists of a Prime Minister and his council, formally appointed by the King. The PM is the Head of Govt

Jens Stoltenburg(Labour Party) is the Current Prime Minister of Norway in office from Oct 17,2005 serving his 3rd term(March 03,2000-Oct 19,2001;Oct 17,2005 -Sep 13,2009 and Sep 14,2009 - till date)

Storting(Parliament of Norway)

Norway'sParliament, the Storting ("Great Council"),is Unicameral with 169 members elected by popular vote for a 4-year term  by Proportional Representation in Multi-Seat Constituencies.