The Emerging Norwegian Municipal Structure
In Norway, as in the other Nordic countries, a discussion is currently taking place in respect of how to reform sub-national political and administrative structures. At present Norway, with a population of 4.7 million, holds direct elections to 431 municipalities, in Norwegian termed kommune, and 19 counties (in Norwegian fylkeskommune). The last major reform of the local political structure was made in the 1960’s which saw a 50% reduction in the number of municipalities from, approximately, 900 to 450. The county structure has however remained unchanged for over 100 years (Selstad 2003), though directly elected councils were first initiated in 1974.
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