Your Majesties, your Royal Highnesses, good colleagues.

One year ago, when we assembled for the 154th Storting, it was against a backdrop of great uncertainty about how things would develop in the wake of the world financial crisis. Today, a year later, we know that the consequences of this financial crisis, though they have also affected us, have been less severe in Norway than in the majority of other countries.

Here in the Storting, there has been broad agreement on most of the measures implemented to combat the crisis. In Norway, competent handling of the crisis and a solid economy has meant that we are in a position to discuss new investment and the further development of welfare provision. In many countries around us, on the other hand, the agenda is dominated by high unemployment, the debt crisis and painful welfare cuts.

It would, however, be wrong to assume that we can isolate ourselves from what is happening in the world around us. Norway is an export-dependent country with an open economy, influenced on a daily basis by what is happening elsewhere in the world. This is why it is essential that we concern ourselves with the parameters under which Norwegian business and industry operate – and that we actively pursue a policy of full employment.

Though unemployment in Norway is low, it is disquieting that many of those who have lost their jobs during the financial crisis are now registered as long-term unemployed. Indeed, there is a worrying trend that many young people are dropping out of education without having established a foothold in working life, with the risk that many will become permanently excluded from employment. We must step up our efforts to ensure that all those with the capacity to work have the opportunity to work.

Not only is this central to the individual’s own chances of participating in society and their right to work, it is also integral to the sustainability of the common effort that is the very essence of the welfare society.

It is important to be aware that even though our petroleum wealth will soon exceed an inconceivable 3000 billion Norwegian kroner, it is worth less than the value of what is created by all those who make a contribution in their everyday work.

Broad labour force participation by both genders and an inclusive workplace have been decisive factors in developing the welfare state. The greater the participation, the more there is to share around.

This spring, a delegation from the Storting visited Brazil, Argentina and Chile. These countries expressed a great interest in our organization of indigenous peoples’ politics through the Sámediggi as well as in climate issues. A particularly large number of questions were, however, about how Norway has managed to develop from being a poor to a prosperous country.

The Norwegian model has attracted attention far beyond our national borders. It is something well worth taking care of and developing further.

A responsible economic model, public welfare and education – along with a well-organized working life with active parties in close contact with the authorities – is what gives us security and the ability to make the necessary adjustments. That many are involved in the decision-making process undoubtedly contributes to the fact that the measures we have taken to combat the financial crisis have been more successful than those taken by many of the countries around us.

An essential premise of what has become the Norwegian model is parliamentary democracy. As we approach the bicentenary of the Constitution, it is natural to discuss and debate the role of and relationship between the different branches of the state in the modern age. Already next week there will be a seminar in the former Lagting Chamber to put these questions on the agenda. 

Norwegian society was formed through open debate between those in power and those in opposition. Countless major issues have been solved through collaboration across traditional party lines and political blocs. An vital element of any democracy is the role of the opposition.

All nations have governments, but only democracies have oppositions.

In times of majority government – with the predictability this provides for the running of the country – it is essential for democracy that the opposition’s opportunities to participation and constructive debate are safeguarded. The right of the opposition to sufficient and timely information is of decisive importance for a healthy democracy, in line with the best traditions developed in our soon-to-be-celebrated Constitution.

In the full knowledge that the Members will do their utmost to tackle the many great responsibilities that lie ahead, we unite in the traditional wish:

God Save the King and the nation.