The Constitution of 17th May 1814. Photo: Storting
Consideration of proposed amendments to the Constitution
On Tuesday 3rd February, the Storting considered four proposed amendments to the Norwegian Constitution. One of these proposals is to change Norway’s system of government from a monarchy to a republic. None of the proposals were adopted.
The other three proposals concerned different procedures for tabling and considering proposed constitutional amendments.
121 articles
When the Norwegian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll on 17th May 1814, it contained 110 articles. Today, among the various amendments that have been adopted since, a further eleven articles have been added, leaving today’s total of 121 articles.
Draft constitutional amendments must be tabled during one of the first three years of a parliamentary term. They are then dealt with in the first, second or third years of the following term.
Need a two-thirds majority
Constitutional amendments require the support of a two-thirds majority to be passed, with at least two-thirds of Norway’s 169 Members of Parliament present and voting in the Chamber when the decision is made. Unless the Storting decides otherwise, constitutional amendments take effect immediately, meaning before they are promulgated.
The Norwegian Constitution is the highest source of law in Norway. If other legislation or legal sources conflict with it, the Constitution takes precedence.
Last updated: 05.02.2026 08:55