Norway

History: The most oldest traces of human life found in Norway back asiglo IX BC It is
assumed that some Germanic tribes migrated to these places when the glaciers
retreated from the coast and the mountains of northern Europe. There engravings
showing that people then knew navigation and skis for traveling on snow. Written
history traces the origin of nationality and Christianization of Norway between the
eighties and 1030 AD The Viking king Harald Hrfagre is regarded as the founder of
the nation, mission accomplished after defeating his rivals in the naval battle of
Hafrsfjord, near the city of Stavanger, and move to control much of the country.
During the reign of Magnus VI (1263-1280la medieval Norway reached the peak of
its power and prosperity. In 1319 he finished the independence of the Norwegians
came to the throne of Magnus VII, who was also king of Sweden. For the Kalmar
Union in 1397, the kingdoms of Scandinavia were united under Danish control
remained so for the next four centuries. by 1814 Denmark was forced to cede
Norway and Sweden. under the Swedish control, Norway tried to establish their own
monarchy. the attempt failed, but in 1815 Sweden granted a limited self-dependent
Swedish Krona. in 1905, Sweden agreed total independence to Norway.
The Norwegians elected as King Haakon VII, who reigned for half a century and was
succeeded by his son Olav V. From 1935 and for thirty years, the Labour Party was in
power. In 1940, during World War II, Norway was invaded by the Nazis and the king
and the government fled to London; Norwegian merchant marine was transferred to
Britain to help with allied forces. With the retirement of the Nazis in 1945 the king
and his government returned, and the economy returned to its pre-war level; in the
elections of that year the Labour Party won a majority in the Storting and a welfare
state established. Priority to free-market industry, public services state-owned and
state planning ensuring housing and employment through export-oriented industries
were given. Norway was a founding member of the UN, he joined NATO in 1949 and
in 1959 became a founding member of the European Free Trade Association
Member.
During the seventies the oil and gas in the North Sea industry developed. The
product of the holding is destined for export proceeds and promoted the expansion
of the welfare state. In 1965, a coalition of center-right overthrew the Labour
government, but from 1973 to 1981, the Labour governments followed. In 1981
another center-right party took power under the leadership of Prime Minister Kre
Willoch. The 1985 elections again gave victory to the coalition Willoch although the
Labour Party was the party most represented. Various political instability and
hampered caused by economic austerity program caused the fall of the government
Willoch. The leader of the Labour party, Gro Harlem Brundtland, was responsible for
directing the government until elections in 1989. A center-right coalition, ruled until
October 1990.

The main concern of Norway is outside Europe. In 1991, the agreement between the
EC and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) of which Norway is a member, led
Norway to actively intervene. In November 1992, the Norwegian Parliament of
Norway requested admission as full member of the European Union. In Strasbourg
(France), March 4, 1994 the European Parliament approve the entry of Norway in the
European Union. But the Norwegians fiercely defend their independence and are
concerned about the effects that a possible EU membership can have on the
economy and in two referendums (1994 and 1998) have massively voted 'no'.
On January 17, 1991 dies in Oslo King Olav V and 23 June ascends the throne Harald
V. A minority Labour government replaced the right-wing government. This position
was confirmed in the 1993 elections, in which a second minority government was
established with the support of centrist and leftist parties. Norway tends to be
isolated at this time, the vote against the EU and the growing influence of the
Progress Party that encourages ideas concerning immigration are a clear example. In
the elections of 1997 a coalition of the Christian Democrats, the Centre Party and
the Liberals formed the government with Kjell Magne Bondevik as prime minister. In
2001 the coalition of Kell Magne Bondevik won again in 2001.
In the 2005 elections there was a change of government. The tripartite coalition lost
and a new center-left government formed by the Labour Party, the Centre Party and
the Socialists took office on October 17 under the leadership of the Labour leader
Jens Stoltenberg.
Government: unicameral Norway is a constitutional monarchy. Parliament, Storting is
constituted by 165 members elected for a term of four years by a system of
proportional representation. The executive branch is represented by the Prime
Minister. The king, Harald V is the Head of State.