Storting facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parliament of Norway Stortinget
166th Storting
Logo of Stortinget
Type
Type	Unicameral
Term limits	4 years
Established	1814
Leadership
President of the Storting	Masud Gharahkhani (Labour)
Vice presidents	Svein Harberg (Conservative)
	Nils T. Bjørke (Centre)
	Morten Wold (Progress)
	Kari Henriksen (Labour)
	Ingrid Fiskaa (Socialist Left)
Structure
Seats	169
Political groups	Government (76)      Labour Party (48)      Centre Party (28) Opposition (93)      Conservative Party (36)      Progress Party (21)      Socialist Left Party (13)      Red Party (8)      Liberal Party (8)      Green Party (3)      Christian Democratic Party (3)      Patient Focus (1)
Committees	Business and Industry Education, Research and Church Affairs Energy and the Environment Family and Cultural Affairs Finance and Economic Affairs Foreign Affairs and Defence Health and Care Services Justice Labour and Social Affairs Local Government and Public Administration Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs Transport and Communications
Elections
Voting system	Open list proportional representation Modified Sainte-Laguë method
Last election	13 September 2021
Next election	2025
Meeting place
Hemicycle of the Parliament of Norway Building Oslo, Norway
Constitution
Constitution of Norway

The Storting (which means "the Great Thing") is Norway's main law-making body. It was created in 1814 by the Constitution of Norway. The Storting is located in Oslo, the capital city of Norway.

This parliament has 169 members. They are chosen every four years in elections. The system used is called party-list proportional representation. This means that parties get seats based on the percentage of votes they receive.

The Storting is led by a President and five Vice Presidents. Together, they form the presidium. Members of the Storting work in different committees. These committees focus on specific topics like education or health.

Norway's parliament used to have two parts, called the Lagting and the Odelsting. This system was changed in 2009. Now, the Storting works as one single body.

After the 2021 election, ten different political parties are part of the Storting. The current President of the Storting is Masud Gharahkhani.

History of Norway's Parliament

Early Assemblies

The idea of a parliament in Norway goes way back to the 9th century. Back then, there were "alltings." These were common meetings for free men in Germanic societies. They met at special places called "thingsteads." Important legal and political matters were discussed there.

Over time, these meetings became more formal. They grew into larger regional gatherings. Kings started to support them, giving them more power. Sometimes, these assemblies even helped change who was king!

Law Things and Absolute Monarchy

By the 10th century, "lagtings" (or "law things") were set up. These were higher-level regional assemblies. In the mid-1200s, King Magnus Lagabøte brought together the old regional assemblies. He also wrote down the laws.

This legal system was important until 1660. That's when King Frederick III declared Norway an absolute monarchy. This meant the king had all the power. This system lasted until 1814, when the Storting was founded. The current Parliament of Norway Building opened in 1866.

Parliament During World War II

During World War II, Norway was occupied. In September 1940, the members of the Storting met in Oslo. They voted on agreements with the German occupation forces. However, these agreements were later stopped by Adolf Hitler.

How the Storting Changed (1814–2009)

The Storting has always been officially a single parliament. But before 2009, it acted like it had two parts. After an election, one-fourth of the members formed the Lagting. This was like an "upper house" that reviewed laws. The other three-fourths formed the Odelsting, or "lower house."

The Lagting was meant for more experienced members. But over time, it became very similar to the Odelsting. So, laws usually passed through the Lagting without many changes.

Bills were first proposed in the Odelsting. A special committee would then look at the bill. If the Odelsting approved it, it went to the Lagting for review. Most bills were then sent to the king to become law. If the Lagting changed the bill, it went back to the Odelsting. If they still disagreed, the bill would be voted on by all Storting members together. This required a two-thirds majority to pass.

In 2007, the Storting voted to get rid of the Lagting and Odelsting. This change took effect after the 2009 election. Now, the Storting works as one unified body.

Number of Seats Over Time

The number of members in the Storting has changed a lot.

• In 1882, there were 114 seats.
• By 1921, it grew to 150 seats.
• In 1973, it became 155 seats.
• Since 2005, the Storting has had 169 members.

How the Storting Works

Making Laws

Making a new law in Norway involves five steps:

• Step 1: Introducing a Bill. A bill is a proposed law. It can be suggested by the government or by any member of parliament.
• Step 2: Committee Review. The bill is sent to a special committee. This committee studies the bill in detail.
• Step 3: First Reading. The whole parliament debates the committee's suggestions. Then, they vote. If the bill is rejected, it stops here.
• Step 4: Second Reading. At least three days later, parliament debates the bill again. They vote again. If it passes, it goes to the King to become law.
• Step 5: Third Reading (if needed). If parliament changes its mind during the second reading, a third reading happens. This is also at least three days later. They debate and vote again.

Royal Approval

Once a bill passes all readings, it goes to the King. The King must sign it, and the prime minister must also sign it. Then, it becomes Norwegian law on a specific date.

The King of Norway has the right to refuse to sign a bill. However, no Norwegian monarch has done this since 1905. If the King did refuse, the Storting could still make it law. They would have to pass the same bill again after a new election.

How the Storting is Organized

The Presidium

The presidium is the leadership team of the Storting. It includes the President of the Storting and five Vice Presidents. This system with five Vice Presidents started in 2009. Before that, there was only one Vice President.

Standing Committees

Members of parliament are divided into twelve standing committees. Eleven of these committees focus on specific political topics. For example, there are committees for education, health, or energy. The twelfth committee is for checking how the government works and constitutional matters. Each committee covers the work of one or more government ministers.

Other Important Committees

There are also four other committees:

• The Enlarged Committee on Foreign Affairs discusses important foreign policy and national safety issues with the government. These talks are kept private.
• The European Committee talks with the government about rules from the European Union.
• The Election Committee handles internal elections within the parliament. It also decides how members are placed in committees.
• The Preparatory Credentials Committee checks and approves election results.

Agencies Appointed by Parliament

Five public agencies are chosen by the parliament, not the government:

• The Office of the Auditor General checks how all government money is spent.
• The Parliamentary Ombudsman helps citizens if they have problems with public services.
• The Ombudsman for the Armed Forces helps people in the military.
• The Ombudsman for Civilian National Servicemen helps those doing civilian service instead of military service.
• The Parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Committee watches over Norway's intelligence and security services.

The parliament also chooses the five people who decide the Nobel Peace Prize.

Parliament's Staff

The Storting has about 450 staff members. They are led by the Director of the Storting, Marianne Andreassen. She also works as the secretary for the presidium.

Political Party Groups

Each political party in the Storting has its own group. This group is led by a board and a parliamentary leader. Usually, the party leader is also the parliamentary leader. But if a party leader is a government minister, another representative takes on the role of parliamentary leader.

Elections in Norway

An election booth at the event of municipal and county voting, 2007

Members of the Storting are elected using a system called party-list proportional representation. This means that several representatives are chosen from each area, or constituency. These constituencies are the same as Norway's 19 former counties.

When people vote, they vote for a party's list of candidates. The person at the top of the list usually gets the seat. However, voters can sometimes change the order on the ballot.

The Sainte-Laguë method is used to give seats to parties. This makes sure that the number of representatives a party gets is close to its total percentage of votes across the country. Sometimes, a party can win a seat in one area even if it doesn't get many votes nationwide.

Elections happen every four years. They are usually held on the second Monday of September. Unlike many other parliaments, the Storting always serves its full four-year term. There are no "snap elections" (early elections). If a member cannot serve, a substitute from the same party takes their place.

Members of Parliament

The Storting has 169 members. If a member cannot attend, for example, if they become a government minister, a deputy representative steps in. This deputy is the next person on the party's election list.

Inside the main meeting room, the seats are arranged in a half-circle. Government ministers sit in the front row. Behind them, members of parliament sit according to which county they represent, not by their political party.

The Parliament Building

Stortinget Building

Since 1866, the Storting has met in the Parliament of Norway Building in Oslo. The building was designed by Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet. It is made of yellow brick with light gray granite details. Its design mixes different styles, inspired by buildings in France and Italy.

The main parliament building is not big enough for all the staff. So, the Storting also uses offices and meeting rooms in several nearby buildings in Oslo.

Images for kids

• 

  Lagting Hall, which also served as the meeting room for the Christian Democratic Party's parliamentary group. The Lagting was discontinued in 2009.

• 

  Interpellation (spørretimen) being held inside the hemicycle of the building

See also

In Spanish: Storting para niños

• List of presidents of the Storting