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{{Short description|Executive branch of Norway's government}}
{{Outdated|date=April 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Politics of Norway}}
{{Politics of Norway}}


The '''Council of State''' ([[Norwegian language|Norwegian]]: ''Statsrådet''), is a formal body composed of the most senior government [[minister (government)|ministers]] chosen by the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]], and functions as the collective decision-making organ constituting the [[Government of Norway|executive branch]] of the [[Norway|Kingdom]]. The council simultaneously plays the role of [[privy council]] as well as [[Cabinet (government)|government Cabinet]].
The '''Council of State''' ({{Langx|no|Statsrådet}}) is a formal body composed of the most senior government [[minister (government)|ministers]] chosen by the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]], and functions as the collective decision-making organ constituting the [[Government of Norway|executive branch]] of the [[Norway|Kingdom]]. The council simultaneously plays the role of [[privy council]] as well as [[Cabinet (government)|government Cabinet]].


With the exception of the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]] and the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]], who retain their ministerial ranking in their own right, all the other members of the Cabinet concurrently hold the position of ''statsråd'', meaning Councillor of State, and that of Chief of the various departments, not formally being considered 'ministers', although commonly addressed as such. The Cabinet normally convenes every week, usually on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. at the [[Royal Palace, Oslo]], and is presided over by the [[Monarchy of Norway|Monarch]].
With the exception of the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]] and the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]], who retain their ministerial ranking in their own right, all the other members of the Cabinet concurrently hold the position of ''statsråd'', meaning Councillor of State, and that of Chief of the various departments, not formally being considered 'ministers', although commonly addressed as such. The Cabinet normally convenes every week, usually on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. at the [[Royal Palace, Oslo]], and is presided over by the [[Monarchy of Norway|Monarch]].
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Under the 1814 [[Constitution of Norway]], the third-oldest national Constitution still in operation (after the [[constitution of San Marino]] and [[US Constitution]]), the [[King of Norway|King]] is the head of the [[executive branch]] of [[Norway]]. However, historical developments such as the introduction of [[Parliamentary system|parliamentarism]] in 1884 and evolving constitutional tradition have altered the [[King of Norway|King's]] role, meaning that the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]], holding the leadership of a political party enjoying electoral support, is the ''de facto'' [[head of government]]. Accordingly, when Article 3 of the [[Constitution of Norway|Constitution]] reads, "The Executive Power is vested in the [[King of Norway|King]]", this nowadays reflects the powers conferred on the elected government, operating through the Council of State and headed by the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]].
Under the 1814 [[Constitution of Norway]], the third-oldest national Constitution still in operation (after the [[constitution of San Marino]] and [[US Constitution]]), the [[King of Norway|King]] is the head of the [[executive branch]] of [[Norway]]. However, historical developments such as the introduction of [[Parliamentary system|parliamentarism]] in 1884 and evolving constitutional tradition have altered the [[King of Norway|King's]] role, meaning that the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]], holding the leadership of a political party enjoying electoral support, is the ''de facto'' [[head of government]]. Accordingly, when Article 3 of the [[Constitution of Norway|Constitution]] reads, "The Executive Power is vested in the [[King of Norway|King]]", this nowadays reflects the powers conferred on the elected government, operating through the Council of State and headed by the [[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]].


The [[Politics of Norway|parliamentary system of Norway]] entails that the Cabinet must not have Parliament against it, and that the appointment by the [[King of Norway|King]] is a formality. The members making up the Council of State require 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 of Norway|Prime Minister]].
The [[Politics of Norway|parliamentary system of Norway]] entails that the Cabinet must not have Parliament against it, and that the appointment by the [[King of Norway|King]] is a formality. The members making up the Council of State require 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 of Norway|Prime Minister]].


The fact that the original wording of the [[Constitution of Norway|Constitution]] has not been modified to reflect contemporary practice, is a testimony to the widespread conservative sentiments shared across the political aisle that extensive constitutional revision should be avoided. In practice, this means that the function, authority and mandate of the Council of State is heavily influenced by long-standing conventions.
The fact that the original wording of the [[Constitution of Norway|Constitution]] has not been modified to reflect contemporary practice, is a testimony to the widespread conservative sentiments shared across the political aisle that extensive constitutional revision should be avoided. In practice, this means that the function, authority and mandate of the Council of State is heavily influenced by long-standing conventions.


The Council of State is established by the following article of the [[Constitution of Norway|Constitution]], stating that
The Council of State is established by the following article of the [[Constitution of Norway|Constitution]], stating that

{{cquote
{{cquote
| source = https://www.stortinget.no/globalassets/pdf/english/constitutionenglish.pdf
| source = https://www.stortinget.no/globalassets/pdf/english/constitutionenglish.pdf
| 2 =
| 2 =
| 3 =
| 3 =
| 4 = Constitution of Norway
| 4 = Constitution of Norway
| 5 = Article 12
| 5 = Article 12
Line 35: Line 39:


== Duty of remonstrance ==
== Duty of remonstrance ==
Article 30 of the [[Constitution of Norway|Norwegian Constitution]] states that any member of the Council of State, if he is of the opinion that the "King's decision conflicts with the form of government or the laws of the Realm" is bound by a "duty to make strong remonstrances against it, as well as to enter his opinion in the records." The Article continues by stating that a Member who has not voiced such objections is liable of impeachment by the [[Storting]] should a decision made in the Council of State later be found unlawful. For the same reason, the aforesaid Article prescribes that all of the decisions made in the Council of State shall be put down in official records.
Article 30 of the [[Constitution of Norway|Norwegian Constitution]] states that any member of the Council of State, if he or she is of the opinion that the "King's decision conflicts with the form of government or the laws of the Realm" is bound by a "duty to make strong remonstrances against it, as well as to enter his opinion in the records." The Article continues by stating that a Member who has not voiced such objections is liable of impeachment by the [[Storting]] should a decision made in the Council of State later be found unlawful. For the same reason, the aforesaid Article prescribes that all of the decisions made in the Council of State shall be put down in official records.


== Requirements of membership ==
== Requirements of membership ==
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! Ministry !! Position !! Incumbent !! Image !! In office since
! Ministry !! Position !! Incumbent !! Image !! In office since
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan=2|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Office of the Prime Minister (Norway)|Office of the Prime Minister]]<br />''Statsministerens kontor''||[[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]]<br />''Statsminister''||[[Erna Solberg]]||[[Image:Erna Solberg, Wesenberg, 2011 (1).jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Office of the Prime Minister (Norway)|Office of the Prime Minister]]<br />''Statsministerens kontor''||[[Prime Minister of Norway|Prime Minister]]<br />''Statsminister''||[[Jonas Gahr Støre]]||[[File:Jonas Gahr Støre - 25061469895 (cropped).jpg|95px]]||14 October 2021
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Labour (Norway)|Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion]]<br />''Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Labour and Social Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion]]<br />''Arbeids- og inkluderingsminister''||[[Tonje Brenna]]||[[File:NM - Tonje Brenna-6 - 51976038435 (cropped).jpg|95px]]||16 October 2023
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Children and Families]]<br />''Barne- og familiedepartementet''||[[Minister of Children and Families]]<br />''Barne- og familieminister''||[[Kjersti Toppe]]||[[File:Kjersti Toppe kandidater Sp, stortingsvalget 2013 (2).jpg|95px]]||14 October 2021
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance]]<br />''Digitaliserings- og forvaltningsdepartementet''||Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance<br />''Digitaliserings- og forvaltningsminister''||[[Karianne Tung|Karianne Oldernes Tung]]||[[File:Karianne Tung Trøndelagsmøtet 2014.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2023
|align="center"|[[Norwegian Office of the Prime Minister|Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister]]<br />''Samordningsminister''||[[Julie Brodtkorb]]||||16 December 2015
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]<br />''Utenriksdepartementet''||[[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]<br />''Utenriksminister''||[[Børge Brende]]||[[Image:Børge Brende at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2008.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (Norway)|Ministry of Energy]]<br />''Energidepartementet''||[[Minister of Petroleum and Energy (Norway)|Minister of Energy]]<br />''Energiminister''||[[Terje Aasland]]||[[File:Terje Aasland (085 KIL-6464) (cropped).jpg|95px]]||7 March 2022
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Finance|Ministry of Finance]]<br />''Finansdepartementet''||[[Minister of Finance (Norway)|Minister of Finance]]<br />''Finansminister''||[[Siv Jensen]]||[[Image:SivJensen2428 2E jpg DF0000062823.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Finance (Norway)|Ministry of Finance]]<br />''Finansdepartementet''||[[Minister of Finance (Norway)|Minister of Finance]]<br />''Finansminister''||[[Trygve Slagsvold Vedum|Trygve Magnus Slagsvold Vedum]]||[[File:Trygve S Vedum kandidater Sp, stortingsvalget 2013.jpg|95px]]||14 October 2021
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Defence (Norway)|Ministry of Defence]]<br />''Forsvarsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Defence (Norway)|Minister of Defence]]<br />''Forsvarsminister''||[[Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide]]||[[Image:Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide 20090830-2.JPG|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Defence (Norway)|Ministry of Defence]]<br />''Forsvarsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Defence (Norway)|Minister of Defence]]<br />''Forsvarsminister''||[[Bjørn Arild Gram]]||[[File:Bjørn Arild Gram leseambassadør (cropped).JPG|95px]]||12 April 2022
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry|Ministry of Trade and Industry]]<br />''Nærings- og handelsdepartementet''||[[Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry|Minister of Trade and Industry]]<br />''Nærings- og handelsminister''||[[Monica Mæland]]||[[Image:31.08.2013, Monica Mæland.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Health and Care Services]]<br />''Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Health and Care Services]]<br />''Helse- og omsorgsminister''||[[Jan Christian Vestre]]||[[File:Jan Christian Vestre, 2021 (cropped).jpg|95px]]||19 April 2024
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs|Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs]] & [[Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development|Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development]]<br />''Fornyings- og kirkedepartementet & Kommunal- og regionaldepartementet''||[[Minister of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs]]<br />''Fornyings- og kirkeminister & Kommunal- og regionalminister''||[[Jan Tore Sanner]]||[[Image:Jan Tore Sanner.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and Public Security]]<br />''Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Justice and Public Security (Norway)|Minister of Justice and Public Security]]<br />''Justis- og beredskapsminister''||[[Emilie Enger Mehl]]||[[File:Emilie Enger Mehl.jpg|95px]]||14 October 2021
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services|Ministry of Health and Care Services]]<br />''Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Health and Care Services (Norway)|Minister of Health and Care Services]]<br />''Helse- og omsorgsminister''||[[Bent Høie]]||[[Image:Bent Høie.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Climate and Environment (Norway)|Ministry of Climate and Environment]]<br />''Klima- og miljødepartementet''||[[Minister of Climate and the Environment (Norway)|Minister of Climate and Environment]]<br />''Klima- og miljøminister''||[[Andreas Bjelland Eriksen]]||[[File:ZeroKonferansen 2022 314 (Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, cropped).jpg|95px]]||16 October 2023
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Culture|Ministry of Culture]]<br />''Kulturdepartementet''||[[Minister of Culture (Norway)|Minister of Culture]]<br />''Kulturminister''||[[Linda Cathrine Hofstad Helleland]]||[[File:Linda_Cathrine_Hofstad_Helleland.jpg|95px]]||16 December 2015
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development]]<br />''Kommunal- og distriktsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Local Government and Regional Development]]<br />''Kommunal- og distriktsminister''||[[Erling Sande]]||[[File:2021 Erling Sande Stortingsrepresentant Sogn og Fjordane.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2023
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Labour|Ministry of Labour]]<br />''Arbeidsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Labour (Norway)|Minister of Labour]]<br />''Arbeidsminister''||[[Anniken Hauglie]]||[[File:Anniken_Hauglie_Web3.JPG|95px]]||16 December 2015
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Culture and Equality]]<br />''Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Culture and Equality]]<br />''Kultur- og likestillingsminister''||[[Lubna Jaffery]]||[[File:Lubna Jaffery Fjell.jpg|95px]]||28 June 2023
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications|Ministry of Transport and Communications]]<br />''Samferdselsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Transport and Communications (Norway)|Minister of Transport and Communications]]<br />''Samferdselsdepartementet''||[[Ketil Solvik-Olsen]]||[[Image:Ketil solvik olsen.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center" rowspan="2"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Education and Research (Norway)|Ministry of Education and Research]]<br />''Kunnskapsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Education (Norway)|Minister of Education]]<br />''Kunnskapsminister''||[[Kari Nessa Nordtun]]||[[File:Kari Nessa Nordtun.png|95px]]||16 October 2023
|-
|-
||[[Minister of Research and Higher Education]]<br />''Forsknings- og høyere utdanningsminister''<br />''Forskings- og høgare utdanningsminister''||[[Oddmund Løkensgard Hoel]]||[[File:Oddmund Løkensgard Hoel.jpg|95px]]||23 January 2024
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs|Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs]]<br />''Fiskeri- og kystdepartementet''||[[Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs]]<br />''Fiskeri- og kystminister''||[[Per Sandberg]]||[[File:PSandberg2154_2E_jpg_DF0000063007.jpg|95px]]||16 December 2015
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of the Environment|Ministry of the Environment]]<br />''Miljøverndepartementet''||[[Minister of the Environment (Norway)|Minister of the Environment]]<br />''Miljøvernminister''||[[Vidar Helgesen]]||[[File:Vidar_Helgesen_portrett.jpg|95px]]||16 December 2015
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Norway)|Ministry of Agriculture and Food]]<br />''Landbruks- og matdepartementet''||[[Minister of Agriculture and Food (Norway)|Minister of Agriculture and Food]]<br />''Landbruks- og matminister''||[[Geir Pollestad]]||[[File:Geir_Pollestad_kandidater_Sp,_stortingsvalget_2013.jpg|95px]]||4 August 2023
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food|Ministry of Agriculture and Food]]<br />''Landbruks- og matdepartementet''||[[Minister of Agriculture and Food (Norway)|Minister of Agriculture and Food]]<br />''Landbruks- og matminister''||[[Jon Georg Dale]]||[[Image:Jon Georg Dale (11175444194) (cropped).jpg|95px]]||16 December 2015
|align="center" rowspan="2"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries]]<br />''Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet''||[[Minister of Trade and Industry (Norway)|Minister of Trade and Industry]]<br />''Næringsminister''||[[Cecilie Myrseth]]||[[File:Cecilie Myrseth DSC07555 (35315561782) (cropped).jpg|95px]]||19 April 2024
|-
|-
||[[Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy]]<br />''Fiskeri- og havminister''||[[Marianne Sivertsen Næss]]||[[File:Marianne sivertsen Naess.jpg|95px]]||19 April 2024
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police|Ministry of Justice and Emergency Planning]]<br />''Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Minister of Justice and Emergency Planning]]<br />''Justis- og beredskapsminister''||[[Per-Willy Amundsen]]||[[Image:PWAmundsen5789 2E jpg DF0000062834.jpg|95px]]||20 December 2016
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion|Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion]]<br />''Barne- og likestillingsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion (Norway)|Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion]]<br />''Barne- og likestillingsminister''||[[Solveig Horne]]||[[Image:Solveig Horne.jpg|95px]]|| 16 October 2013
|align="center"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Transport (Norway)|Ministry of Transport]]<br />''Samferdselsdepartementet''||[[Minister of Transport (Norway)|Minister of Transport]]<br />''Samferdselsminister''||[[Jon-Ivar Nygård]]||[[File:Statsråd Jon-Ivar Nygård.jpg|95px]]||14 October 2021
|-
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research| Ministry of Research and Higher Education]]<br />''Kunnskapsdepartementet''||[[Ministry of Education and Research (Norway)|Minister of Education]]<br />''Kunnskapsminister''||[[Torbjørn Røe Isaksen]]||[[Image:T Roe Isaksen 01.JPG|95px]]||16 October 2013
|align="center" rowspan="2"|[[File:Emblem of the Norwegian Government.svg|50px]]<br />[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]<br />''Utenriksdepartementet''<br />''Utanriksdepartementet''||[[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]<br />''Utenriksminister''<br />''Utanriksminister''||[[Espen Barth Eide]]||[[File:Nordiskt-baltiskt statsministermote under Nordiska radets session i Helsingfors (1).jpg|95px]]||16 October 2023
|-
|-
||[[Minister of International Development (Norway)|Minister of International Development]]<br />''Utviklingsminister''||[[Anne Beathe Tvinnereim|Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim]]||[[File:Abt portrett 2.jpg|95px]]||14 October 2021
|align="center"|[[File:Statsikon.svg|50px]]<br />[[Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy|Ministry of Petroleum and Energy]]<br />''Olje- og energidepartementet''||[[Minister of Petroleum and Energy (Norway)|Minister of Petroleum and Energy]]<br />''Olje- og energiminister''||[[Tord Lien]]||[[Image:Tord Lien 8320.jpg|95px]]||16 October 2013
|}
|}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://snl.no/statsråd Article in a Norwegian online encyclopedia] (Norwegian)
* [http://snl.no/statsråd Article in a Norwegian online encyclopedia] (Norwegian)
*[http://www.kongehuset.no/c30057/artikkel/vis.html?tid=30068 Information from the official web site of the Norwegian monarchy]
* [http://www.kongehuset.no/c30057/artikkel/vis.html?tid=30068 Information from the official web site of the Norwegian monarchy]
*[http://www.regjeringen.no Official web portal of the Norwegian government]
* [http://www.regjeringen.no Official web portal of the Norwegian government]


{{Cabinet of Norway}}
{{Cabinet of Norway}}

Latest revision as of 01:37, 29 October 2024

The Council of State (Norwegian: Statsrådet) is a formal body composed of the most senior government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister, and functions as the collective decision-making organ constituting the executive branch of the Kingdom. The council simultaneously plays the role of privy council as well as government Cabinet.

With the exception of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who retain their ministerial ranking in their own right, all the other members of the Cabinet concurrently hold the position of statsråd, meaning Councillor of State, and that of Chief of the various departments, not formally being considered 'ministers', although commonly addressed as such. The Cabinet normally convenes every week, usually on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. at the Royal Palace, Oslo, and is presided over by the Monarch.

Constitutional basis

[edit]

Under the 1814 Constitution of Norway, the third-oldest national Constitution still in operation (after the constitution of San Marino and US Constitution), the King is the head of the executive branch of Norway. However, historical developments such as the introduction of parliamentarism in 1884 and evolving constitutional tradition have altered the King's role, meaning that the Prime Minister, holding the leadership of a political party enjoying electoral support, is the de facto head of government. Accordingly, when Article 3 of the Constitution reads, "The Executive Power is vested in the King", this nowadays reflects the powers conferred on the elected government, operating through the Council of State and headed by the Prime Minister.

The parliamentary system of Norway entails that the Cabinet must not have Parliament against it, and that the appointment by the King is a formality. The members making up the Council of State require 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.

The fact that the original wording of the Constitution has not been modified to reflect contemporary practice, is a testimony to the widespread conservative sentiments shared across the political aisle that extensive constitutional revision should be avoided. In practice, this means that the function, authority and mandate of the Council of State is heavily influenced by long-standing conventions.

The Council of State is established by the following article of the Constitution, stating that

The King himself chooses a Council from among Norwegian citizens who are entitled to vote. This Council shall consist of a Prime Minister and at least seven other Members.

The King apportions the business among the Members of the Council of State as he deems appropriate. Under extraordinary circumstances, besides the ordinary Members of the Council of State, the King may summon other Norwegian citizens, although no Members of the Storting, to take a seat in the Council of State.

Husband and wife, parent and child or two siblings may never sit at the same time in the Council of State.

Functions and mandate

[edit]
The council meets in the Royal Palace, Oslo

The Council of State convenes to formally make decisions on matters of State, passing so-called Royal Resolutions (Norwegian: Kongelige resolusjoner) or Orders in Council. Theoretically, the Royal Resolutions themselves are the King's decisions, but are practically those of the government. However, they require the contra-signature of the Prime Minister, or, in cases relating to military command, of the Minister of Defence in order to be valid. Later, entire records from the proceedings of the Council of State is signed by all its members. This is done in order to remove all personal responsibility on part of the King, in keeping with Article 5 of the Constitution, which states that, "The King's person is sacred; he cannot be censured or accused. The responsibility rests with his Council". Another feature of this system is that the King, when having sanctioned a decision, is referred to as King-in-Council (Norwegian: Kongen i statsråd), meaning the King as well as his council.

According to the Constitution, certain cases, such as appointments and dismissals of higher office, pardons, provisional measures, church ordinances and ratifications of treaties must be administered by the Council of State. Whilst not prescribed in the Constitution, the signing of bills and other regulations into law is the most important feature of the work being conducted during sessions of the Council of State.

Duty of remonstrance

[edit]

Article 30 of the Norwegian Constitution states that any member of the Council of State, if he or she is of the opinion that the "King's decision conflicts with the form of government or the laws of the Realm" is bound by a "duty to make strong remonstrances against it, as well as to enter his opinion in the records." The Article continues by stating that a Member who has not voiced such objections is liable of impeachment by the Storting should a decision made in the Council of State later be found unlawful. For the same reason, the aforesaid Article prescribes that all of the decisions made in the Council of State shall be put down in official records.

Requirements of membership

[edit]

Whilst most members of the Cabinet originate from within the Storting and will have their seats deputised during their time in office, being Member of Parliament is not a requirement. However, since the introduction of parliamentarism in 1884, all members of the Cabinet must have the express support of the legislature. In addition, they must hold Norwegian citizenship and be eligible to vote, meaning that they have attained the age of 18. Until a 2012 amendment, there was a requirement that a majority of the members had to be affiliated with the Church of Norway, the national state church. When church matters are on the table, all members of the Cabinet not registered with the Church would not be in attendance.

Order of precedence and succession

[edit]

There is no official order of succession to the premiership of Norway, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs has traditionally been regarded as akin to Deputy Prime Minister, although no such title officially exists. The King established on 1 July 1993 an Order of precedence to direct seating and ranking on formal occasions. Here, the Minister of Finance enjoys the foremost rank after the Prime Minister, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs only coming in third, behind the minister of Agriculture and Food.

Current composition

[edit]
Ministry Position Incumbent Image In office since

Office of the Prime Minister
Statsministerens kontor
Prime Minister
Statsminister
Jonas Gahr Støre 14 October 2021

Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion
Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet
Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion
Arbeids- og inkluderingsminister
Tonje Brenna 16 October 2023

Ministry of Children and Families
Barne- og familiedepartementet
Minister of Children and Families
Barne- og familieminister
Kjersti Toppe 14 October 2021

Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance
Digitaliserings- og forvaltningsdepartementet
Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance
Digitaliserings- og forvaltningsminister
Karianne Oldernes Tung 16 October 2023

Ministry of Energy
Energidepartementet
Minister of Energy
Energiminister
Terje Aasland 7 March 2022

Ministry of Finance
Finansdepartementet
Minister of Finance
Finansminister
Trygve Magnus Slagsvold Vedum 14 October 2021

Ministry of Defence
Forsvarsdepartementet
Minister of Defence
Forsvarsminister
Bjørn Arild Gram 12 April 2022

Ministry of Health and Care Services
Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet
Minister of Health and Care Services
Helse- og omsorgsminister
Jan Christian Vestre 19 April 2024

Ministry of Justice and Public Security
Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet
Minister of Justice and Public Security
Justis- og beredskapsminister
Emilie Enger Mehl 14 October 2021

Ministry of Climate and Environment
Klima- og miljødepartementet
Minister of Climate and Environment
Klima- og miljøminister
Andreas Bjelland Eriksen 16 October 2023

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development
Kommunal- og distriktsdepartementet
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development
Kommunal- og distriktsminister
Erling Sande 16 October 2023

Ministry of Culture and Equality
Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet
Minister of Culture and Equality
Kultur- og likestillingsminister
Lubna Jaffery 28 June 2023

Ministry of Education and Research
Kunnskapsdepartementet
Minister of Education
Kunnskapsminister
Kari Nessa Nordtun 16 October 2023
Minister of Research and Higher Education
Forsknings- og høyere utdanningsminister
Forskings- og høgare utdanningsminister
Oddmund Løkensgard Hoel 23 January 2024

Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Landbruks- og matdepartementet
Minister of Agriculture and Food
Landbruks- og matminister
Geir Pollestad 4 August 2023

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet
Minister of Trade and Industry
Næringsminister
Cecilie Myrseth 19 April 2024
Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy
Fiskeri- og havminister
Marianne Sivertsen Næss 19 April 2024

Ministry of Transport
Samferdselsdepartementet
Minister of Transport
Samferdselsminister
Jon-Ivar Nygård 14 October 2021

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Utenriksdepartementet
Utanriksdepartementet
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Utenriksminister
Utanriksminister
Espen Barth Eide 16 October 2023
Minister of International Development
Utviklingsminister
Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim 14 October 2021
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