TNAG-2050-FCO40-2920-Visits-by-Lord-Caithness--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and--1990 — Page 143

NORWAY: BACKGROUND BRIEF

RESTRICTED

1. Norway, formerly linked to the Swedish crown, declared

its independence in 1905. The union with Sweden was

peacefully dissolved and the Norwegians elected their own

monarch, Prince Charles of Denmark who took the title of

King Haakon VII. He was succeeded by his son, Olav V, in

1957.

2.

After the war, Norway abandoned its traditional policy of neutrality and joined NATO in 1949. Norway was also a

founder member of the Nordic Council in 1952 and of EFTA in

1960.

3.

Norway is a constitutional monarchy headed by a hereditary King. The parliament (Storting) is elected every

four years on the basis of proportional representation. When considering legislation, it divides into an upper house

or Lagting (25% of members) and a lower house or Odelsting

(75% of members). Executive power is nominally held by the

King but is exercised by the State Council (Council of

Ministers).

Sate

Internal

4.

After the General Election in September 1989 Labour

(under Mrs Brundtland) remained the largest party but without a parliamentary majority. The Conservative, Centre and Christian People's parties formed a minority, centre

right coalition government under the leadership of

Mr Jan P Syse (Conservative).

5.

Some commentators predicted the coalition's demise within the year. Latest opinion polls show the three

government parties with a total of 35%, 1% down on their

General Election result. Overall, the right of centre

parties trail Labour (37.5%) and the Socialist left (12.5%)

who total 50%.

BB1AAJ/1

RESTRICTED