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Norway
At stake: Stortinget
Background
Modern-day Norwegians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. In the summer of 2004, the Human Development Index report from the United Nations (UN) named Norway as the best country to live in, followed by Sweden, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
The country's Viking legacy came to an end in the 10th Century, when Christianity was adopted under King Olav Tryggvason. Norway's monarchy is still in place today, although not directly descended from the same royal family.
In May 1814, as part of a wide-ranging effort to prevent being absorbed by the Swedish Empire, Norway became a constitutional monarchy. Sweden eventually invaded Norway in July, allowing Norwegians to retain their body of law in exchange for accepting a Swedish sovereign. The agreement effectively ended Norway's 400-year union with Denmark.
In 1905, the Great Diet declared Norway's independence from Sweden, which was in turn overwhelmingly supported in a nationwide referendum. Upon Sweden's agreement to the dissolution of the union, Norway opted to reinstate the Danish line to the throne. Prince Carl of Denmark—who later renamed himself Hakon VII—became monarch.
Norway's economy was severely affected by World War I. Despite the fact that the country remained neutral, it suffered large scale economic losses from the destruction of much of its shipping resources. While not taking sides during World War II either, Norway was occupied by German forces from 1940 to 1945.
The Scandinavian country's current financial prosperity is largely due to the discovery of oil and natural gas deposits in the 1960s. The Norwegian government controls the oil industry, and the Stortinget maintains a "petroleum fund" estimated at $43 billion U.S., in order to safeguard the economy in case reserves are eventually depleted.
Norwegian voters rejected European Union (EU) membership in plebiscites held in 1972 and 1994. A new referendum is not expected before the 2005 general election. Norway's two principal political parties—the Labour Party (DNA) and the Conservatives (H)—support EU accession, while the Christian People Party (KrF) and the Agrarians (Sp) are opposed. Norway is regarded as a wealthier state than other EU members because of oil revenues.
A coalition government encompassing the Conservative (H), the Christian People (KrF) and the Liberal Left (V) parties currently administers Norway—with the conditional support of the Progress Party (FrP)—under prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik. The four political organizations elected 88 lawmakers to the 165-seat Stortinget in the 2001 election. The Labour Party (DNA)—despite having a larger share of the vote and more legislators than any other political organization—was unable to form a government.
In 2003, Bondevik ordered the deployment of 150 military engineers to assist the United States-led coalition effort in Iraq. The engineers—most of whom left Iraq in July 2004—participated in humanitarian efforts and were only allowed to use force in self-defence. Ten Norwegian citizens stayed behind to support a new endeavour coordinated by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to instruct and equip Iraqi security forces.
In 2004, Norway devoted 0.94 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to development aid, the largest proportion of any country in the world. Norwegian foreign minister Jan Petersen has acted as a mediator between the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers armed group.
2005 Stortinget (Norwegian Parliament) Election
In November 2004, the Progress Party (FrP) temporarily refused to support the governing coalition's 2005 budget unless more funds were allocated to run the country's hospitals. A final agreement was ultimately reached.
On Dec. 26, large areas of Asia and parts of Africa were ravaged by the worst earthquake and tsunamis to hit the regions in four decades. In January, prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik acknowledged that his government reacted too late to the emergency, saying, "It is clear that there are things we could have done somewhat differently." At least 26 Norwegians died in the disaster area, and 58 have been reported missing.
On Jan. 28, 2005, Labour Party (DNA) leader Jens Stoltenberg rejected the government's proposal to establish private "free schools" in Norway. The country's Department of Education has received 240 applications for private primary and secondary schools. Stoltenberg said only centres that offer "an alternative education or are founded on religious beliefs" should be allowed to become private. The Socialist Left (SV) and the Agrarians (Sp) are also opposed to the plan.
At the start of 2005, the opposition DNA was the clear frontrunner for the Sept. 12 legislative ballot, consistently topping voting intention surveys by TNS Gallup/Verdens Gang/TV2 and Sentio-Norsk Statistic. Labour leader Stoltenberg held the highest office from March 2000 to October 2001.
In March and April, polls by Opinion/NRK/Aftenposten and MMI Institute/Dagbladet suggested the "Red-Green" alliance encompassing Labour, the Socialist Left and the Agrarians could secure a majority in the Stortinget.
In April, a special evaluation committee presented its report on the performance of Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the December 2004 tsunamis in large areas of Asia and parts of Africa. The panel concluded that the government entity was "poorly prepared" to deal with the catastrophe. At least 12 Norwegians died in the disaster zone.
In early May, the defence ministers of Norway, Finland and Sweden agreed to establish a joint emergency force, which would be made available to the European Union (EU) in 2008. Two of the three parties of the "Red-Green" alliance—the Socialist Left and the Agrarians—are opposed to the project.
In late May, Bondevik urged for patience following the rejection of the European Constitution in France, saying, "Nobody will feel there's a hurry to invite the Norwegian people to take a stand on an organization that's now unclear." Stoltenberg—who supports accession—said the continental group "has faced many crises, and overcome them all. I think the EU will be able to handle this as well."
On Jun. 20, FrP leader Carl Hagen said his party would not support the current head of government in a coalition, declaring, "We'll do what we can to get a non-socialist administration, but it will have to be one with a prime minister other than Bondevik." Conservative leader Erna Solberg criticized Hagen, calling his remarks "an unreasonable personal attack on our prime minister."
June polls by MMI Institute/Dagbladet and Opinion/NRK/Aftenposten put Labour as the clear frontrunner, garnering anywhere from 28.6 per cent to 30 per cent of the vote.
In August, Bondevik complained about the level of the campaign, saying, "I think there has been a poor start, especially extreme parties SV and FrP resort to personal attacks and throw expensive promises around with a lack of overview about costs. And I fear that if this continues to intensify, it can be both a dirty and expensive campaign."
DNA secretary Martin Kolberg also expressed dissatisfaction with the contest, saying, "Unfortunately we see that the Conservatives are again basing their campaign on misrepresenting Labour policies."
In August, Stoltenberg criticized the Conservatives for suggesting that the Red-Green alliance would be weak on the foreign policy front, declaring, "(They) are running a negative campaign and making false assertions. The party should concentrate instead on clearing up the chaos in the government parties' ranks." Stoltenberg said the three parties have agreed "on participation in international operations sanctioned by the United Nations and to step up peacekeeping and aid efforts."
The FrP was criticized for a campaign brochure that features a man wearing a balaclava and brandishing a gun. The leaflet reads, "The perpetrator is of foreign origin." Prime minister Bondevik expressed dismay in an interview with Dagsavisen, saying, "The Progress Party plays on the fear of foreigners. I expected that this would happen during the election, but I think it is sad."
FrP leader Hagen disagreed with Bondevik, declaring, "The brochure says that very many immigrants are law-abiding citizens that do a fantastic job for Norway. But unfortunately there are all too many who are not law-abiding. Statistics show that clearly that criminality is growing among immigrants."
August polls by Norstat/Vaart Land, Opinion/NRK/Aftenposten, Norsk Gallup/TV2 and MMI Institute/Dagbladet suggested a victory for the Red-Green alliance, with anywhere from 85 to 96 lawmakers in the 169-seat Stortinget.
On Aug. 22, Stoltenberg welcomed the latest public opinion results, saying, "This is an enormous inspiration for everyone who wants a change of government. It is especially gratifying that these numbers come after the first week of real campaigning."
On Aug. 24, Norway's party leaders participated in a televised debate. Conservative leader Erna Solberg chided Labour's election platform, saying, "You can't make promises like those Jens Stoltenberg gives, business and industry would go under. We, through tax cuts, provide for economic order through industry."
Socialist Left leader Kristin Halvorsen directly criticized the prime minister, declaring, "I don't believe that Bondevik is an evil man. I believe his heart is still working, but he has been associating with terribly bad company."
On Aug. 26, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) administrator Kemal Dervis revealed that Norway "is ranked as number one on the human development index." Norway has topped the list every year since 2001.
Also on Aug. 26, SV deputy leader Oystein Djupedal expressed his party's intention to limit oil exploration, saying, "We want to make a virtue of being hands-on in our industrial policy. We're going to the vote saying there should be no more activity in the Arctic Barents Sea, to safeguard the environment and fish stocks."
On Aug. 30, Liberal Left secretary-general Terje Breivik urged for new regulations to settle labour disputes, saying, "We should carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the right to strike. Such an evaluation must of course involve contributions from all sides of the discussion." Last year, transport workers in the Scandinavian nation went on strike for more than four weeks.
Late August polls by Opinion/NRK/Aftenposten, MMI Institute/NRK/Dagbladet and Norsk Gallup/TV2 confirmed the dominant position of Labour, the Socialist Left and the Agrarians, with anywhere from 89 to 94 seats.
During a Sept. 2 web session, Stoltenberg pledged to change the way the Scandinavian country is governed, declaring, "Norway has great possibilities and we have to use these for everyone in our country. That means we must spend the big money on the big issues." The Red-Green alliance has vowed to boost investments in health care, education and employment programs.
An early September Norsk Gallup/TV2 poll suggested a close race, with the Red-Green alliance trailing the remaining parties by just one seat.
Bondevik said the latest survey indicates that "voters know what they have, but apparently not what they could get." Stoltenberg dismissed any concerns, saying, "(The election) is completely even. Those who want a change of government must hang in there and ensure that we get what is within our reach."
Voting took place on Sept. 12. Preliminary results with 431 of 433 communities reporting pointed to a victory for the Red-Green alliance, with 87 seats in the Stortinget. Stoltenberg expressed satisfaction with the early returns, saying, "In this campaign we had two goals: a strong election for Labour and a chance to form a majority government. One goal has been reached—the other is within reach."
Christian People (KrF) member Dagfinn Hoeybraaten acknowledged that the current prime minister's party is facing "a worse result than expected." Turnout was tabled at 76.6 per cent.
If the results are ratified, Stoltenberg's Labour party would elect 18 more lawmakers than in the 2001 election, with the Conservatives failing to retain 15 of their seats.
On Sept. 13, Bondevik declared he was stepping down after informing King Harald V, saying, "I am disappointed by such a political defeat, but we had been prepared for the possibility." Stoltenberg declared, "I am happy to become prime minister, mostly because it is a meaningful and important job and because it is important for me to bring Norway in the right direction."
On Oct. 14, Bondevik formally tendered his resignation to King Harald V, saying, "I will advise his majesty to contact the leader of the Labour Party, Jens Stoltenberg, as the prime minister candidate for the group of parties prepared to form a government." Labour members will be put in charge of 10 ministries, with five going to the Socialist Left and four to the Agrarians.
On Oct. 17, Stoltenberg took over as prime minister for the second time. His cabinet includes foreign minister Jonas Gahr Store, defence minister Anne-Grete Strom-Erichsen, and finance minister Kristin Halvorsen.
Political Players
King: Harald V of Slesvig-Holstein Sonderburg-Glucksburg
Prime minister: Jens Stoltenberg - DNA
Legislative Branch: The Stortinget (Norwegian Parliament) has 169 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies.
Results of Last Election:
Stortinget - Sept. 12, 2005
|
|
Vote% |
Seats |
|
Labour Party (DNA) |
32.7% |
61 |
|
Progress Party (FrP) |
22.1% |
38 |
|
Conservatives (H) |
14.1% |
23 |
|
Socialist Left (SV) |
8.8% |
15 |
|
Christian People (KrF) |
6.8% |
11 |
|
Agrarians (Sp) |
6.5% |
11 |
|
Liberal Left (V) |
5.9% |
10 |
|
Red Electoral Alliance (RV) |
1.2% |
-- |
|
Coastal Party (KYST) |
0.8% |
-- |
|
Pensioners' Party (PP) |
0.5% |
-- |
|
Christian Unity Party (KS) |
0.1% |
-- |
|
Environment Party The Greens (MDG) |
0.1% |
-- |
|
The Democrats (D) |
0.1% |
-- |
|
Abortion Opponents' List (AL) |
0.1% |
-- |
|
Communist Party of Norway (NKP) |
0.0% |
-- |
|
Reform Party (RP) |
0.0% |
-- |
|
Sami People Party (SB) |
0.0% |
-- |
|
Liberal People's Party (DTF) |
0.0% |
-- |
|
Norwegian Republican Alliance (NRA) |
0.0% |
-- |
|
Beer Unity Party (PS) |
0.0% |
-- |
|
Society Party (SP) |
0.0% |
-- |
