Democracy and civic participation

Norway distributes state power between the Storting, the government and the courts. The Storting passes laws, allocates money through the national budget and scrutinises the government.

The government proposes policy and implements decisions. Independent courts resolve legal disputes and decide criminal cases.

Imagine a new law: the government may propose it, the Storting passes it, and a court may later apply it to a particular case. These connected institutions have different responsibilities.

Under parliamentarism, the government answers to the Storting. If the Storting passes a motion of no confidence in the government, it must seek resignation.

Norway uses negative parliamentarism: a new government does not first need to win a separate vote of confidence to take office. A minority government can therefore govern, while seeking support for decisions and budgets.

Losing an ordinary parliamentary vote does not automatically mean losing a vote of no confidence.

Public responsibilities are divided between national, county and municipal authorities. National authorities are responsible for matters including laws and hospitals.

Counties handle upper secondary education and county roads. Municipalities handle primary and lower secondary schools, kindergartens, elderly care and household waste services.

National rules set many boundaries within which local politicians make choices. If a primary school faces closure, the municipality is therefore a sensible starting point.

Identify who owns the decision before choosing how to influence it.

Elections select representatives to make political decisions on people's behalf. Parliamentary and local elections concern different institutions and each take place every four years, at different points in the cycle.

Voting is secret: you should be able to choose without showing others your vote. Voters must turn 18 by the end of the election year.

Norwegian citizenship is required for parliamentary elections; other residents may qualify for local elections. Always check which election and registration conditions the information concerns.

In a parliamentary election, you elect representatives through parties’ electoral lists; you do not vote directly for a prime minister. The distribution of seats affects which parties can form a government and secure support for policies. A local election elects the municipal council, which in turn elects the mayor. Elections therefore give influence through representative institutions.

Democracy means more than the largest number of votes winning. Human rights protect individuals and minorities, including when a majority disagrees with them. Under the rule of law, power must be exercised according to law, and independent courts help protect against arbitrary decisions.

Equal human worth means that people have the same value. Equality also concerns real opportunities in education, work and participation. Protection against discrimination covers grounds including gender, ethnicity, religion and disability. A service described as “open to everyone” can still be difficult to use if its entrance has only stairs. We must therefore examine practical barriers too.

Freedom of religion and belief includes the right to believe, change belief or have no religion. Christianity has shaped Norwegian history and traditions; society today includes several religions and worldviews. You can criticise a belief while respecting the person. Freedom of expression does not make threats lawful.

You can approach elected representatives, join an organisation, write an opinion piece or contribute when a proposal is opened for consultation. Freedom of expression protects criticism and disagreement within legal limits.

Freedom of association allows people to work together. Democracy also involves responsibility: following laws, providing accurate information to public bodies and checking sources before sharing a claim.

A useful contribution explains both your concern and your reasons. You do not need to wait for the next election to speak.