The Monarchy
The secular, Norwegian state today looks to the monarchy for help to provide a feeling of identity in contemporary Norway. In the 'displaced state' of late modernity, monarchies and religious beliefs may be points of orientation and may support feelings of belonging to a combination of local and trans-national communities. In a self-perceived homogenous national Norwegian society and state the secular and monistic modern tradition has difficulties in generating and supporting a common identity encompassing plural and mixed legal, religious and spiritual traditions and practices inside Norway. The monarchy is considered an an achronistic institution in a modern democratic nation state but it is also an inclusive and psychological state form in a post-sovereign world. This paradox is especially strong in Norway, where the monarchy symbolizes both national independence and national community.
On 07 June 1905 the Storthing adopted by unanimous vote a resolution to the effect (1) that, the king having admitted his inability to form a Government, the constitutional powers of the crown had become inoperative, and (2) that Oscar II, having ceased to act as king of Norway, the union with Sweden was to be regarded as ipso facto dissolved. On 27 October 1905 King Oscar formally relinquished the Norwegian crown.
In Norway there was widespread sentiment in favor of the establishment of a republic. The continuance of monarchy was regarded, however, as the course which might be expected to meet with most general approval throughout Europe, and in a spirit of concilation the Storthing tendered to King Oscar an offer to elect as sovereign a member of the Swedish royal family. The offer was rejected; whereupon the Storthing selected as a candidate Prince Charles, second son of the then Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, the late King Frederick VIII. November 12 and 13, 1905, the Norwegian people, by a vote of 259,563 to 69,264, ratified the Storthing's choice, the advocates of a republic recording some 33,000 votes. The new sovereign was crowned at Trondhjem June 22, 1906. By assuming the title of Haakon VII. he purposely emphasized the essential continuity of the Norwegian monarchy with that of mediaeval times. Haakon VI. reigned 1343-1380, shortly before the Union of Kalmar.
The government of Norway, like that of Sweden and of Denmark, is in form a limited hereditary monarchy. The popular element in it is both legally and actually more considerable than in the constitutional system of either of the sister Scandinavian states; none the less, the principle of monarchy is firmly entrenched, and, as has been pointed out, not even the overturn of 1905 endangered it seriously. The constitution contains provisions respecting the succession to the throne, the conduct of affairs during a minority, and the establishment of a regency, which need not be recounted here, but which are designed to meet every possible contingency. In the event of the absolute default of a legal successor the Storthing is empowered to elect.
Supreme executive authority is vested in the king, who must be an adherent of the Lutheran Church, and who at his accession is required to take oath in the presence of the Storthing to govern in conformity with the constitution and laws. Associated with the king is a Council of State, upon which, since the king may be neither censured nor impeached, devolves responsibility for virtually all executive acts. The Council consists of a minister of state, or premier, and at least seven other members. All are appointed by the crown, and all must be Norwegian citizens not less than thirty years of age and adherents of the established Lutheran faith. The king may apportion the business of state among the councillors as he desires. All ministers are regularly members of the Storthing, though by the constitution the crown is authorized for special reasons to add to the Council members who possess no legislative seats. The heir to the throne, if eighteen years of age, is entitled to a seat in the Council, but without vote or responsibility.
Most of the powers which are possessed by the king may be exercised by him only in conjunction with the Council.
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