Elverum Authorization
Encyclopedia
The Elverum Authorization allowed the Norwegian executive branch to temporarily and legitimately assert absolute authority
while removed from the capitol, Oslo
. The action was approved unanimously by the Parliament of Norway (the Storting) on 9 April 1940, in the town of Elverum
, in Norway
, after the Norwegian royal family
, executive branch, and parliament had evacuated Oslo to evade capture by German
troops in the course of Operation Weserübung
during World War II
.
, which ruled that the authorization was legitimate and valid.
Some critics have claimed that the authorization was never formally put to a vote, and that it in any case was invalid because there was no constitutional basis for the Storting to hand over its functions to the executive branch. These critics also claim that Section 17 – which was invoked in the authorization – only authorized emergency powers within the areas of "trade", "customs", "economy" and "police" until the Storting could be seated again.
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
while removed from the capitol, Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. The action was approved unanimously by the Parliament of Norway (the Storting) on 9 April 1940, in the town of Elverum
Elverum
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Elverum...
, in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, after the Norwegian royal family
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
, executive branch, and parliament had evacuated Oslo to evade capture by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
troops in the course of Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Text
The authorization reads, in translated form:Significance
The authorization is of historical significance because it allowed the Norwegian executive branch to assert legitimacy —even while in exile.Debate
It is also controversial in that it constituted a complete abandonment of the legislative powers in Norway during the war. The issue was brought to the Norwegian Supreme CourtSupreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
, which ruled that the authorization was legitimate and valid.
Some critics have claimed that the authorization was never formally put to a vote, and that it in any case was invalid because there was no constitutional basis for the Storting to hand over its functions to the executive branch. These critics also claim that Section 17 – which was invoked in the authorization – only authorized emergency powers within the areas of "trade", "customs", "economy" and "police" until the Storting could be seated again.