The Norwegian parliament once functioned as two separate houses within a single body
While Norway is today a unicameral democracy, its legislature once practiced a unique form of 'qualified unicameralism.' For nearly two centuries, the Storting split its own members into two internal chambers to review laws, creating a legislative structure that was de facto bicameral despite its single-chamber identity.
Established by the Constitution of Norway in 1814, the Storting—literally meaning 'the Great Thing'—has roots tracing back to the 9th-century Germanic 'allting.' These early common assemblies of free men gathered at 'thingsteads' to discuss legal and political matters. Over time, these regional meetings were formalized into the 'lagtings' (law things) during the 10th century, eventually consolidating into major regional assemblies like the Gulating and Frostating under King Magnus the Lawmender in the mid-13th century.
The parliamentary structure underwent a significant transformation between 1884 and 2009. Following the establishment of parliamentarianism in 1884, the Storting operated with a split membership. After an election, one-quarter of the members were chosen to form the Lagting, acting as an upper house or revising chamber, while the remaining three-quarters formed the Odelsting. While the Odelsting proposed legislation, the Lagting reviewed it. This 'de jure' bicameralism was largely a formality, as the Lagting's composition closely mirrored the Odelsting, but the distinction remained until a 2007 constitutional amendment abolished the division, taking effect after the 2009 election.
Today, the Storting is a purely unicameral legislature consisting of 169 members elected every four years via party-list proportional representation. The assembly is led by a presidium, which includes a president and, since 2009, five vice presidents. The system is designed for stability; unlike many other parliaments, the Storting serves its full four-year term without the possibility of snap elections. While the King of Norway retains the right to withhold Royal Assent from bills, this power has not been exercised since the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905.
Source: Storting
