Prior to adopting the parliamentary system, Bergen was governed by the principle of an executive committee, elected from members of the City Council, and a permanent appointed chief officer.

According to Norwegian law the matter of adopting a parliamentary system has to be voted over twice, in two subsequent terms.

The second vote was held on 25 October 1999,[3] and with the support from 42 members of the city council, the decision was made to introduce the parliamentary system on 26 June the following year.

One of the main arguments for introducing the parliamentary system was to increase the local politicians control of the governing of the city, on the expense of the permanent appointed chief officer and the bureaucracy.

The Progress Party left the cabinet on 28 April 2009, due to a disagreement about continuing the lifespan of the toll ring financing the Bergen Program for Transport, Urban Development and the Environment.

In October 2022, Valhammer again announced his intent to resign following revelations of child service cases where children had not been given sufficient or lacking follow-ups.