Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness, Fellow Members of the Storting, 

Today His Majesty has opened the 169^th Storting. As we once again take our seats in this chamber, there rests on our collective shoulders a clear responsibility: to help deal with the needs and challenges that people all over the country face on a daily basis.

Fellow Members,

1989 was a turning point for Europe and the world. The Berlin Wall, the most concrete symbol of the Iron Curtain, fell. As democracy blossomed, so did prosperity and security.

Tragically, 2022 was a second turning point. After many years of peace, war once again broke out in our own neighbourhood. The state of democracy is back to where it was before the fall of the wall.

Next year marks the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. For five years, the Storting was out of action. Norway’s flag no longer flew from the heart of our democracy. The Norwegian people were no longer free to choose for themselves, but were ruled by the iron fist of an occupying power.

We will remain forever grateful to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we have today.

The events that are taking place in Europe and the world provide a stark reminder that freedom, peace and the growth of democracy can never be taken for granted.

Authoritarian forces throughout the world are joining forces. We cannot afford to be naïve. Ultimately, if we genuinely mean to protect democracy, we must be willing to defend it with more than just words.

Irrespective of its political differences, this Storting has been united in making historic decisions of great magnitude for the defence of democracy.

We stand together in our support for Ukraine and in the goal of building up our own defence capacity. For the very first time, the entire Nordic region is united in NATO.

Just recently, I met some of the many able women and men who serve on our armed forces.

One of them, Cadet Milla, put this President of the Storting in his place, quite literally, in a close combat exercise!

Conscripts at the Pasvik frontier post spoke with pride of the vital work they were doing on behalf of their country and those of us who live here.

We have a political culture which enables this institution to foster the kind of leadership that is also important on the bigger stage when the world is in troubled times. We have seen this in recent decades, with the role former prime minister Jens Stoltenberg has played in NATO. Thank you, Jens, and welcome home.

Fellow Members,

Having oil and gas doesn’t automatically lead to welfare for all.

But the ten oil commandments, adopted in this Chamber over half a century ago, have allowed us to build up the welfare state we have today.

Jobs throughout the country, both urban and rural; free schools and a free health service. The Norwegian model gives workers the right to sit round the same negotiating table as their employers, not simply to stand on the outside protesting. Yes, we are a nation that lifts as one.

Yet let us never forget those whose efforts actually made sure that the gold and riches could be developed and play their part in creating the Norway of today: the oil pioneers. They deserve our recognition and thanks. Among those I met at the Offshore Northern Seas conference in August were Bjarne Kapstad and several of his former oil-pioneering colleagues.

We all enjoy the fruits of their labours. Those of us sitting in this Chamber today have an additional responsibility to safeguard what they have created for future generations.

The Fiscal Budget for 2025 will be presented next week. We know there are high expectations out there. These are challenging times. Many people are struggling financially and are worried about their own circumstances. They look to us. It’s our responsibility to take their concerns seriously.

We have a tradition of finding common solutions to weighty tasks regardless of our political differences. We should be well equipped to guide Norway through these troubled times.

Fellow Members,

2025 is an election year. Elections may be unpredictable, but one thing is never in doubt: whatever the result, the heart of democracy must always be faithful to our Constitution, the second oldest in the world. The will of the people must prevail.

I would like to thank all those who are now entering their last parliamentary year for their efforts. The work you have done on behalf of society is hugely important, and you will be taking invaluable experience with you. I’d like to wish you the best of luck with the final push.

The Storting is once again convened to perform its solemn duties. We meet in the full knowledge of the major responsibilities that await us and the obligations we have undertaken.

With these words, let us rise and unite in the traditional words: 

“God save the King and the Fatherland!”