Parliament
The Storting is the very core of the Norwegian democratic government. Here, elected representatives from across the country meet to discuss, pass laws and shape the development of Norway – through debate, cooperation and democratic processes that have developed over more than 200 years.
The National Assembly of Norway
The Storting is the very heart of Norwegian democracy. It is where elected representatives from all over the country meet to discuss social development, pass laws, allocate state funds and control the government. Over more than 200 years, the Storting has developed from a young national assembly in a new country to become one of the pillars of a modern and trust-based democracy.
For many Norwegians, the Stortinget is first and foremost a familiar building in central Oslo – with the lions in front of the entrance, Karl Johans gate outside and the characteristic curved shapes in the facade. But behind the architecture lies a story of popular rule, compromises, debates, conflicts, reforms and social development.
The Storting is fundamentally about how a country is governed through democratic processes – not by one person alone, but through conversations, votes, disagreements and collaboration between people with different values, experiences and political positions.
From Eidsvoll to today's democracy
The history of the Storting begins in 1814 – a year of enormous significance for Norway. After several hundred years in union with Denmark, an opportunity arose for Norway to write its own constitution and establish its own democratic government.
At Eidsvoll, 112 representatives gathered in the spring of 1814 to draft the Constitution. The result was one of Europe's most modern constitutions of its time. It established principles such as the separation of powers, freedom of expression, and the people's right to representation.
On May 17, 1814, the Constitution was adopted, and Norway received its own Storting.
However, democracy was far from what we know today. At first, the right to vote was limited to men with property or certain social positions. Over time, democracy was gradually expanded:
more men got the right to vote
parliamentarism was introduced
the labor movement grew
women got the right to vote in 1913
The welfare state was expanded throughout the 20th century.
The history of the Storting is therefore also the story of how more and more people were given the opportunity to influence the development of society.
What is the Storting?
The Storting is Norway's national assembly and consists of 169 representatives elected by the people through general elections every four years.
The representatives come from all over the country and represent different political parties and ideologies. Together they discuss and pass laws and decisions that affect the everyday lives of people all over Norway.
The Storting has three main tasks:
to pass laws
to adopt the state budget
to control the government
This means that the Storting both decides which laws will apply in Norway, how state money will be spent, and at the same time ensures that the government complies with laws and decisions.
The work does not only take place in the large parliament chamber. Much of the most important work takes place in the committees, where representatives are divided into areas such as:
health
education
energy
finance
transportation
defense
working life
culture
industrial policy
Here, proposals are thoroughly considered before they are debated and voted on in the Storting.
What is the Storting?
The Storting is Norway's national assembly and consists of 169 representatives elected by the people through general elections every four years.
The representatives come from all over the country and represent different political parties and ideologies. Together they discuss and pass laws and decisions that affect the everyday lives of people across Norway.
The Storting has three main tasks:
to pass laws
to adopt the state budget
to control the government
This means that the Storting both decides which laws will apply in Norway, how state money will be spent, and at the same time ensures that the government complies with laws and decisions.
The work does not only take place in the large parliament chamber. Much of the most important work takes place in the committees, where representatives are divided into areas such as:
health
education
energy
finance
transportation
defense
working life
culture
industrial policy
Here, proposals are thoroughly considered before they are debated and voted on in the Storting.
How laws are made
When new laws or changes are proposed in Norway, it happens through a democratic process that often takes time. This is precisely an important part of democracy.
A bill can come from the government or from members of parliament. The matter is then sent to a committee where the representatives discuss the content, gather knowledge and assess the consequences.
After committee consideration, the matter moves on to debate in the Storting. Representatives from various parties argue their points of view before the proposal is finally voted on.
If a majority votes in favor, the law is passed.
The process may seem slow compared to how decisions are made in some other countries or companies. But the strength of democracy lies precisely in allowing different perspectives to emerge before decisions are made.
Parliament and the government
Many people confuse the Storting and the government, but they have different roles.
The government governs the country on a day-to-day basis and consists of the Prime Minister and ministers. The Storting passes laws and controls the government.
Norway has parliamentarism. This means that the government must have the support of a majority in the Storting – or at least not have a majority against it.
If the Storting loses confidence in the government, the government may be forced to resign.
This system is an important part of the balance of power in Norway. No one should be able to rule alone without democratic control.
Democracy in practice
Democracy is not just about politics on TV or debates in the parliament. It is also about the everyday lives of people across the country.
Decisions made in the Storting affect:
schools and education
healthcare
elderly care
transportation
working life
industrial policy
treasure
climate and energy
culture
digitization
Democracy is also about tolerating disagreement.
In a society with many people, there will always be different opinions about how the country should be developed. The Storting's task is therefore not to eliminate disagreement, but to ensure that different points of view meet through open and democratic processes.
The Storting in a digital age
Today, democracy is affected by technology in ways that would have been unthinkable just a few decades ago.
Social media, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and global technology companies have changed how people obtain information, discuss politics and participate in public debate.
This creates both opportunities and challenges.
On the one hand, technology can make information more accessible and make it easier for people to participate in debates and follow political processes. On the other hand, disinformation, echo chambers and influence campaigns can weaken trust between people and institutions.
Therefore, digital literacy and critical thinking are becoming increasingly important parts of democracy.
Norway and the world
Although the Storting adopts Norwegian laws, Norway is also part of a larger international cooperation.
Norway cooperates closely with:
United Nations
NATO
EEA
Nordic countries
European institutions
international organizations
For a small country like Norway, cooperation with other countries is important – both economically, in terms of security policy and technologically.
Many issues being discussed in the Storting today therefore also concern international relations:
climate
energy
trade
defense
technology
security
The future of democracy
The Storting is not just an institution from history. It is also part of Norway's future.
Democracy must be constantly maintained, developed and defended. It requires knowledge, trust, participation and respect so that people can disagree without becoming enemies.
Throughout history, Norway has built a society with a high level of trust between people, strong institutions and a high degree of openness. These are values that cannot be taken for granted.
Ultimately, democracy is not just about buildings or politics – but about people who together try to develop society further.
And perhaps that is precisely why the Storting is still so important:
Because popular rule is never completely finished.
