That government fell in March 2000 over the issue of proposed natural gas plants, opposed by Bondevik due to their impact on climate change.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg continued with a minority government consisting of three coalition partners — her own Conservatives, the centrist Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats.

[12] Norway has a unicameral parliament, the Storting ("Great Council"), with members elected by popular vote for a four-year term (during which it may not be dissolved) by proportional representation in multi-member constituencies.

In February 2007, the Storting passed a constitutional amendment to repeal the division, which abolished the Lagting for the 2009 general election, thereby establishing a fully unicameral system.

Impeachment may be brought against Members of the Council of State, or of the Supreme Court or of the Storting, for criminal offenses which they may have committed in their official capacity.

[14] Exceptions to this requirement are limited and must be legally justified, such as temporary positions lasting up to six months or specific cases outlined in collective agreements.

While direct appeals against hiring decisions are generally not permitted, applicants who believe procedural errors occurred can bring their concerns to the employer or relevant authorities.

The King performs important formal duties, such as officially opening the Storting (Norwegian parliament) each year and presiding over the Council of State at the Royal Palace.

He also plays a significant role during government transitions and formally receives the credentials of newly appointed ambassadors during official audiences at the Royal Palace.

[24] It is responsible for national policymaking, drafting legislation (approved by the Storting), and overseeing the implementation of laws and policies through various ministries and agencies.

The Constitution not only laid the foundation for participatory democracy but also empowered the Storting (Norwegian parliament) and strengthened electoral systems, ensuring that citizens play a direct role in governance.

Over time, the role of municipal councils has remained central to public participation, enabling citizens to engage directly with local governance and decision-making processes.

These consultations allow citizens to provide feedback on proposed legislation and policies, ensuring that their perspectives are considered before decisions are finalized.

[37] This trust played a key role in successful crisis management, reflected in 80% of citizens expressing satisfaction with healthcare, 12 points above the OECD average (2022).

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Norway significantly influence policymaking by advocating for a variety of interests and ensuring diverse perspectives are considered.

These organizations often work closely with government bodies, providing expertise and contributing to the development of policies addressing societal needs.

[40] By centralizing services and fostering youth participation, platforms like Ung.no enhance civic engagement and ensure public administration remains accessible and relevant to the next generation.

For instance, the Nesodden municipality uses platforms like Facebook to maintain communication with residents, providing a forward-thinking example of how local governments can foster real-time dialogue and transparency.

Inspired by international models, particularly from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, Norway introduced performance-based management and decentralization [42] Administrative inefficiencies and rising public expectations also drove reforms.

Broader economic pressures in the 1980s and 1990s, including global recessions and rising welfare costs, accelerated the use of cost-control measures, performance budgeting, and accountability mechanisms [44] Norway’s performance measurements follow NPM principles, emphasizing goal setting, monitoring, and evaluation through measurable indicators like service efficiency and operational outcomes [42] Norway's Management by Objective Results (MBOR) framework, aligned with New Public Management (NPM) principles, emphasizes goal setting, monitoring, and structured evaluation to enhance government efficiency and accountability [45] • Annual Activity Plans: Each agency outlines strategic priorities and performance targets.

For example, the Norwegian Health Directorate sets annual goals for reducing hospital wait times and improving patient satisfaction [42] • Performance Indicators: 1.

Service-Oriented: Citizen satisfaction surveys and service delivery metrics [46] • Steering Dialogues: Ministries and subordinate agencies engage in continuous performance reviews to align goals with policy priorities [45] 1.

1990 - MBOR Mandate: Required all public-sector units to adopt annual activity plans, strengthening political control and goal-setting clarity, 3.

It conducts government audits, and performance reviews, and monitors state-owned enterprises to ensure compliance with financial regulations and parliamentary decisions.

[47] • Recommendations: The NAO called for improved coding accuracy, stricter oversight, and enhanced financial controls to ensure accurate reporting and fiscal accountability in Norway’s healthcare sector.

Unlike non-parliamentary ombudsmen in other countries, the Norwegian model operates independently from executive influence and reports directly to Parliament [48] Performance In 2021, the Ombud’s handled 4,032 complaints, resolving 50% through administrative corrections.

It conducted 26 own-initiative investigations on prison monitoring, police access, and case processing delays, recommending procedural improvements [49] Høyringar allows citizens, organizations, and businesses to provide input on laws, regulations, and policies, ensuring transparency and public transportation.

It aimed to reduce market-driven governance, enhance collaboration with labor organizations, and increase public sector employee involvement in decision-making.

Completion Reform Impact: Dropout rates in upper secondary education (VGO) have declined due to improved evaluation measures and targeted policies.

[57] AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, International IDEA, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, International Maritime Organization, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, Zangger Committee.