The prime minister and Cabinet (consisting of all the most senior government department heads) are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the monarch, to the Storting (Parliament of Norway), to their political party, and ultimately the electorate.

Modern prime ministers have few statutory powers, but provided they can command the support of their parliamentary party.

Prime ministers control both the legislature and the executive (the cabinet) and hence wield considerable de facto powers.

Unlike their counterparts in the rest of Europe, Norwegian prime ministers do not have the option of advising the king to dissolve the Storting and call a snap election.

The constitution requires that the Storting serve out its full four-year term.