Subnational parliamentary system in Norway
Encyclopedia
The parliamentary system
is a part of the Constitution of Norway
(§ 15), regarding the national level of administration and how the political executive branch should be formed. From the 1980s it has been used on the subnational levels as well; on the local (in municipalities) as well as regional level (in county municipalities
).
and Norway's second largest city Bergen
. In practice, it has meant the forming of a new institution, the city government . In line with the parliamentary principle, this derives from the city council, which is elected in a municipal election
. Also, the responsibility of preparing cases and proposals for the city council was transferred to the city government from the city's civic administration, which was headed by the chief administrative officer .
The city government institution was introduced in Oslo in 1986 as a test, and later became permanent. Oslo was said to be the first, and for many years only, city in Europe with a parliamentary system. Bergen followed in 2000. It has been proposed in Norway's third largest city Trondheim
, but it has not happened. It has also been proposed in smaller municipalities like Askøy
, Kristiansand
, Skien
, Harstad
and Tromsø
.
A member of the city government is called city commissioner , and the city government is led by a chairperson .
, Nord-Trøndelag
, Troms
—in addition to Oslo, which is both a municipality and a county. Nordland introduced the institution in 1999, and Troms, Hedmark and Nord-Trøndelag followed in 2003. The possibility was also researched by Vestfold in the 1990s, and it has been proposed in several counties, including Rogaland
, Akershus
, Sør-Trøndelag
and Hordaland
.
Similarly to the local level, the county government is called . The leader is called , and a cabinet member is called . This must not be confused with the position , the chief administrative officer of the county municipality.
Parliamentary system
A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch get their democratic legitimacy from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined....
is a part of the Constitution of Norway
Constitution of Norway
The Constitution of Norway was first adopted on May 16, 1814 by the Norwegian Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll , then signed and dated May 17...
(§ 15), regarding the national level of administration and how the political executive branch should be formed. From the 1980s it has been used on the subnational levels as well; on the local (in municipalities) as well as regional level (in county municipalities
County municipality (Norway)
A county municipality is a Norwegian public elected body that is responsible for certain public administrative and service tasks within a county. Each county consists of county municipality, with the exception of Oslo, which is both a municipality and a county municipality...
).
Local level
Locally, the parliamentary system is used in two municipalities consisting of large cities: Norway's largest city and capital OsloOslo
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...
and Norway's second largest city Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
. In practice, it has meant the forming of a new institution, the city government . In line with the parliamentary principle, this derives from the city council, which is elected in a municipal election
Norwegian municipal elections
In Norway, municipal elections are local elections which are held every four years to elect representatives to the municipality councils. The elections are conducted concurrently with the Norwegian county elections. The last election was held on September 10, 2007 , the next will be held in 2011...
. Also, the responsibility of preparing cases and proposals for the city council was transferred to the city government from the city's civic administration, which was headed by the chief administrative officer .
The city government institution was introduced in Oslo in 1986 as a test, and later became permanent. Oslo was said to be the first, and for many years only, city in Europe with a parliamentary system. Bergen followed in 2000. It has been proposed in Norway's third largest city Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
, but it has not happened. It has also been proposed in smaller municipalities like Askøy
Askøy
Askøy is a municipality in the county of Hordaland, Norway. Since the opening of the Askøy Bridge leading to the mainland in Bergen in 1992, the population has increased rapidly. Its population growth is as of 2008 among the highest in Norway...
, Kristiansand
Kristiansand
-History:As indicated by archeological findings in the city, the Kristiansand area has been settled at least since 400 AD. A royal farm is known to have been situated on Oddernes as early as 800, and the first church was built around 1040...
, Skien
Skien
' is a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Skien. Skien is also the administrative centre of Telemark county....
, Harstad
Harstad
is the second largest city and municipality by population, in Troms county, Norway – the city is also the third largest in North Norway. Thus Harstad is the natural centre for its district. Situated approximately north of the Arctic Circle, the city celebrated its 100th anniversary in...
and Tromsø
Tromsø
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tromsø.Tromsø city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population...
.
A member of the city government is called city commissioner , and the city government is led by a chairperson .
Regional level
A parliamentary system is used in the county municipalities of Hedmark, NordlandNordland County Municipality
Nordland County Municipality is the regional governing administration of Nordland, Norway. The main responsibilities of the county municipality includes the running of 17 upper secondary schools, with 9,500 pupils. It administrates county roadways, public transport, dental care, culture and...
, Nord-Trøndelag
Nord-Trøndelag county municipality
Nord-Trøndelag County Municipality is the regional governing administration of Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. The main responsibilities of the county municipality includes the running of 12 upper secondary schools, with 7,000 pupils...
, Troms
Troms County Municipality
Troms County Municipality is the regional governing administration of Troms, Norway. It has its administration in Tromsø and consists of a county council and a county cabinet....
—in addition to Oslo, which is both a municipality and a county. Nordland introduced the institution in 1999, and Troms, Hedmark and Nord-Trøndelag followed in 2003. The possibility was also researched by Vestfold in the 1990s, and it has been proposed in several counties, including Rogaland
Rogaland county municipality
Rogaland County Municipality is the regional governing administration of Rogaland, Norway. The main responsibilities of the county municipality includes the running of 29 upper secondary schools. It administrates the county roadways, public transport, dental care, culture and cultural heritage...
, Akershus
Akershus county municipality
Akershus County Municipality is the regional governing administration of Akershus, Norway. The main responsibilities of the county municipality includes the running of 35 upper secondary schools...
, Sør-Trøndelag
Sør-Trøndelag county municipality
Sør-Trøndelag County Municipality is the regional governing administration of Sør-Trøndelag, Norway. The main responsibilities of the county municipality includes the running of 25 upper secondary schools. It administrates the county roadways, public transport, dental care, culture and cultural...
and Hordaland
Hordaland county municipality
Hordaland County Municipality is the regional governing administration of Hordaland, Norway. The main responsibilities of the county municipality includes the running of 46 upper secondary schools, with 17,000 pupils...
.
Similarly to the local level, the county government is called . The leader is called , and a cabinet member is called . This must not be confused with the position , the chief administrative officer of the county municipality.