OSLO – The Norwegian Parliament has voted decisively to maintain the country’s monarchy, rejecting a proposal to establish a republic despite a year of unprecedented turbulence for the Royal House. In a vote held on Tuesday, legislators in the Storting cast 141 ballots in favor of retaining the monarchy, while only 26 members voted to replace the King with an elected president.
The constitutional proposal to abolish the monarchy is a recurring feature in Norwegian politics, submitted faithfully at the start of each parliamentary session. However, this year’s vote carried additional weight, taking place against a backdrop of scandals that have eroded public support for the institution.
The Royal House has faced intense scrutiny following the arrest of Marius Borg Høiby, the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship. Høiby, who holds no royal title and is not in the line of succession, faces serious charges including assault and rape. The legal proceedings have dominated headlines in Norway, casting a shadow over the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
Additionally, the royal family has navigated controversy surrounding Princess Märtha Louise, the King’s daughter. Her marriage to Durek Verrett, a self-proclaimed American shaman, has drawn criticism for the couple’s commercial use of royal titles and Verrett’s promotion of alternative medical treatments.
Despite these controversies, the parliamentary majority argued that the monarchy remains a stabilizing force for the nation. Supporters emphasized that King Harald V, aged 88, serves as a unifying figure who stands above partisan politics.
“The monarchy has served Norway well since our independence in 1905,” a representative from the Conservative Party stated during the debate. “It provides a continuity and stability that a presidency cannot match, especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty.”
Proponents of a republic, representing parties from across the political spectrum including the Socialist Left and the Liberal Party, argued that the principle of inherited power is incompatible with modern democratic values. Their proposal sought to amend the constitution to allow for a head of state elected by the people.
“The sponsors seek to amend the constitution so that Norway’s head of state is elected by the people, that is, a president,” the proposal read. Republican lawmakers argued that political power already rests with the parliament and government, rendering the hereditary privileges of the royals obsolete.
Public opinion polls reflect the recent turmoil. While support for the monarchy stood at 81 percent in 2017, recent surveys by broadcaster NRK and TV2 indicate that support has dipped to between 62 and 70 percent. Nevertheless, the vote confirms that the political appetite for constitutional change remains low.
King Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, has largely refrained from commenting on the specific criminal charges against his step-grandson but has acknowledged the difficulties the family is facing. “When people we love are not doing well, it is hard for everyone around them,” the King said in a rare public address on the matter late last year.
The vote ensures that King Harald V and his descendants will continue to reign, with Crown Prince Haakon next in line to the throne.
