Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness, good colleagues,
The last time the Storting was gathered here with His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we were a sorrow-stricken and deeply-moved gathering.
Just over two months have passed since the Storting paid tribute to the victims of the terror catastrophe of 22nd July. As we now convene for the 156th Storting, many of us are slowly starting to return to normal life. Yet we also know that the terror of 22nd July will mark us forever.
There has been a local election campaign, in which the Members of the Storting have also taken part. We have spent time with local candidates around the country and, not least, we have been given valuable contributions to our work on the national level.
We would all have hoped for a higher election turnout than the 62.4 per cent at this year’s elections. Yet what is pleasing to see is that the results have varied greatly from municipality to municipality. This is proof that democracy works, and that local issues and local candidates determine how people vote. Several municipal councils have now made history on account of the many young councillors elected. In addition, a huge number of ethnic minority councillors are ready to make their contribution to local democracy. It is in this way that representative democracy is strengthened.
When we once again return to our day-to-day work as Members of the Storting, we will notice that not everything is quite as it was. In the time ahead, the Storting will have sympathy for the fact that the Government is working under demanding circumstances. That being said, we assume that these common practical challenges will be dealt with in such a way that the Storting in general and the opposition in particular will have the opportunity to perform their essential role in our democratic system.
The desire and willingness for «more democracy» has been expressed from many quarters since 22nd July. As the very cornerstone of Norwegian democracy, the Storting, along with the government, bears a special responsibility for suffusing this statement with genuine substance. Together we must further develop the Storting as the nation’s most important political arena.
The 156th Storting also has major challenges to solve. The debt crisis weighs heavily over Europe. Economic growth has ground to a halt in many countries, and high unemployment has taken root. We will also feel this. During the financial crisis of 2008-2009, it was the financial institutions that were reeling. Now it is the national economies that are failing. This means that the challenges ahead have changed.
Norway is dependent on Europe succeeding. This is where our most important trading partners are. It is imperative that our export industries have customers to sell to if they are to maintain high employment and continue in their value creation. There is no more important economic indicator than low unemployment.
The events taking place in Europe are pivotal to us. They challenge our monetary policy and our prospects of keeping a stable currency and low interest rates. They provide a stern test of our wage policy responsibility with regard to preventing inflation. And they place demands on our management of fiscal policy and the ensuing strain it exerts on wage and monetary policy.
There is an old saying that goes «it takes a strong character to stand wealth and ease». It is only when we believe we are invulnerable that we truly become vulnerable.
Among the Members of this chamber, there will undoubtedly be lively debate and different views about how best to meet the challenges in the world economy. But I believe there is a broad consensus that these challenges must be addressed.
The 156th Storting will also be marked by other challenges. The Storting has been looking forward to the climate policy white paper. National agreement on future measures in such an important global question would clearly strengthen the climate issue.
In the knowledge that the Members will do their utmost to tackle the many great responsibilities that lie ahead of us, we unite in the traditional wish:
God Save the King and the nation.
Last updated: 17.10.2011 14:40