Government

Norway is a constitutional and hereditary monarchy. It is governed under its 1814 constitution; two-thirds of the original articles have been amended. Executive powers are vested in the king, but are exercised by the cabinet. The king has the nominal authority to veto legislation, but he no longer exercises it.

Legislative powers are vested in the Storting, or parliament. It has 157 members elected for four-year terms under proportional representation. At its first session following an election, the Storting divides itself into two chambers called the Lagting and the Odelsting. Certain questions are considered by the two houses separately, others in joint session. The Sameting, a Sami national assembly composed of 39 members, serves as an advisory body to the Storting.

Executive powers rest with the council of state, or cabinet, headed by a prime minister. The cabinet, whose members come from the majority party, or coalition of parties, in the Storting, must resign whenever it fails to win a vote of confidence. The king cannot dissolve the Storting or call for new elections.

Norway has three levels of courts, the highest being the Supreme Court of courts, the highest being the Supreme Court of 18 justices. In every criminal case there are three judges and a jury of 10.

Norway's 19 counties (including Oslo) are headed by governors appointed by the central government. The counties are subdivided into urban and rural districts, which are governed by elected councils.