Speech, Debate | When will it end?
Reader’s letter This is a discussion post, written by an external contributor. The post expresses the views of the writer.
When will the discussion about changing the form of government end? Norway is a constitutional monarchy, which means that our monarch has no legislative or executive power. Not least this is democratic, but in addition also a future-oriented form of government.
Our monarchy dates from around 890 and is one of Europe’s oldest kingdoms. The monarchy was chosen over the republic by the people in 1905, something which was the wish of the then Prince Carl of Denmark, known as King Haakon the Seventh. As then and now, the Royal Family gathers the people regardless, they are there for the country and the people sit 100 percent
The Norwegian Monarchy is democratically chosen by the people as a form of government at the request of King Haakon. He would be loved by the people without the use of coercion, and no other royal house or monarchy in Europe has been elected as Norway has been allowed to.
Our royal family originates from the Glücksburg dynasty, a small branch together with Denmark in the great dynasty/princely house of Oldenburg. Norway’s royal family is related to large parts of the royal houses in Europe such as Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain, but is in good company with the rest of Europe and the United States, something that makes it easier for Norway to drive international deals and collaboration. If you take things at face value, it is thanks to Queen Maud that we received such good help from Great Britain and the United States via Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha during the Second World War. It would have been difficult without the ties of family and friendship considering that Denmark surrendered and Sweden was neutral.
The monarchy is the form of government which preserves Norway’s history and excellent traditions, and which also shows this through state search both at home and abroad. The Norwegian monarchy cannot be compared to the other European royal houses, the reason being the popularity, but also that they are less formal. An example of this is Sonja Haraldsen, who married the then crown prince, and now king. Another example was single mother Mette-Marit Tjessem who married the country’s current crown prince. It proves something of the people’s nature.
We know that the parties like Venstre, SV and Rødt are against the monarchy, which I thought was sad. Personally, I think that we should soon put down the debate about changing the form of government and bury it. Because the Monarchy in Norway brings the people together and is apolitical. Something that I think is right when it comes to being the head of the country. A president will divide the people because of his political position or political opinions. When we look at the statistics of the world’s best country to live in or the world’s most democratic country, Norway and other monarchies are on the podium, and in first place.
I can help change the form of government when the Norwegian monarchy starts to behave unpopular and unconstitutional, but it doesn’t do it today, and it is somewhat likely that it will change in the future. But in the end I would like to quote as I think describes the place of the monarchy in Norway «The story of the royal house is the story of Norway» and «the monarchy is a strength for the Norwegian democracy» which is quoted by (Mathilde Tybring Gjedde mentioned in our country in 2022 ). )
Should we remove something that works as wonderfully as the monarchy? No, I mean