Executive Branch
Further information: Cabinet of Norway| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| King | Harald V | January 17, 1991 | |
| Crown Prince | Haakon Magnus | ||
| Prime Minister | Jens Stoltenberg | DNA | 17 October 2005 |
| Other government parties | SV, Sp | 17 October 2005 |
Norway is a constitutional monarchy, where the King has mainly symbolic power. The Royal House is a branch of the princely family of Glücksburg, originally from Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. The functions of the King, Harald V, are mainly ceremonial, but he has influence as the symbol of national unity. Although the constitution of 1814 grants important executive powers to the King, these are always exercised by the Council of State in the name of the King (King's Council, or cabinet). The King is also High Protector of the Church of Norway (the state church), Grand Master of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, and symbolically Supreme Commander of the Norwegian armed forces.
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. Parliamentarism has evolved since 1884 and entails that the cabinet must not have the parliament against it, and that the appointment by the King is a formality. The council must have the confidence of the Norwegian legislative body, known as the Storting. In practice, the monarch will ask the leader of a parliamentary block that has a majority in the Storting to form a government. After elections resulting in no clear majority to any party or coalition, the leader of the party most likely to be able to form a government is appointed Prime Minister. Since World War II, most non-Socialist governments have been coalitions, and Labour Party governments have often relied on the support of other parties to retain the necessary parliamentary votes.
The executive branch is divided into the following Ministries:
- Office of the Prime Minister (Statsministerens kontor)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Landbruks- og matdepartementet)
- Ministry of Children and Equality (Barne- og likestillingsdepartementet)
- Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs (Kultur- og kirkedepartementet)
- Ministry of Defence (Forsvarsdepartementet)
- Ministry of Education and Research (Kunnskapsdepartementet)
- Ministry of the Environment (Miljøverndepartementet)
- Ministry of Finance (Finansdepartementet)
- Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs (Fiskeri- og kystdepartementet)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Utenriksdepartementet)
- Ministry of Government Administration and Reform (Fornyings- og administrasjonsdepartementet)
- Ministry of Health and Care Services (Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet)
- Ministry of Justice and the Police (Justis- og politidepartementet)
- Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion (Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet)
- Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (Kommunal- og regionaldepartementet)
- Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (Olje- og energidepartementet)
- Ministry of Trade and Industry (Nærings- og handelsdepartementet)
- Ministry of Transport and Communications (Samferdselsdepartementet)
Read more about this topic: Politics Of Norway
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