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Norwegian politics officially have the structure of a Constitutional Monarchy , giving the King mainly symbolic power while maintaining a stable Western Democracy . Functions of the King Of Norway are mainly ceremonial, but he has influence as the symbol of national unity. The King is also High Protector of the Church Of Norway (the State Church ), Grand Master of The Royal Norwegian Order Of St. Olav , and Supreme Commander of the Norwegian armed forces. Although the 1814 Constitution grants important executive powers to the king, these are almost always exercised by the Council Of State . The Council of State is formally convened by the reigning monarch. The council must have the confidence of the Norwegian legislative body, known as the Storting . In practice, the monarch will ask the leader of a parliamentary block that has a majority in the Storting to form a government. Since World War II , non-Socialist governments have been coalitions, and Labour Party governments have relied on the support of other parties to retain the necessary parliamentary votes. The 169 members of the Storting are elected from 19 '' Fylker '' (counties) for 4-year terms according to a system of proportional representation. After elections, the Storting divides into two chambers, the Odelsting and the Lagting, which meet separately or jointly depending on the legislative issue under consideration. The regular courts include the Supreme Court , courts of appeal, city and county courts, and conciliation councils. The special High Court of the Realm comprising of members of both the Storting and the Supreme Court hears impeachment cases, it has however not been assembled since 1927 , when prime minister Abraham Berge along with the six ministers who stood trial alongside him were acquitted. Impeachment may be brought against Members of the Council of State, or of the Supreme Court or of the Storting, for criminal offences which they may have committed in their official capacity. Indictments are raised by the Odelsting and judged by the Lagting and the Supreme Court justices as part of the High Court of the Realm. Apart from this and the process of passing bills, the Storting functions as a Unicameral parliament. There is a proposed constitutional amendment before the current Storting (proposed in 2004) regarding an overhaul of the impeachment process. CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Norwegian Constitution , signed by the Eidsvoll assembly 17 May 1814 , transformed Norway from being an Absolute Monarchy into a limited Democracy . The 1814 constitution granted rights such as freedom of speech (§100) and rule of law (§§ 96, 97, 99). Important amendments include:
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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