First Declaration of Soria Moria
Encyclopedia
The Soria Moria declaration is a Norwegian political statement forming the basis of Jens Stoltenberg's second and first government.
The statement outlines the focus and priority of the so-called Red-Green Coalition
government of Labour
, the Centre Party
and Socialist Left Party
.
After the election victory
on 12 September 2005, the three parties agreed to launch negotiations on government at the Soria Moria Hotel in Oslo
. Negotiations began on 26 September and ended with a press conference on 13 November where the official government policy was presented. Soria Moria carries a reference to the famous Norwegian fairy tale about a poor lad's journey to the Soria Moria Castle
, a Norwegian folk tale aboout a Shambhala
like kingdom. On the way Halvor, the protagonist, have to fight a number of terrible troll
s before conquering the heart of the princess of Soria Moria. The story ends with a fantastic wedding at the castle.
Among the topics that were negotiated for were:
The statement outlines the focus and priority of the so-called Red-Green Coalition
Red-Green Coalition (Norway)
The Red-Green Coalition is a centre-left coalition of Norwegian parties, formed by the Labour , the Socialist Left Party , and the Centre Party. Unlike many other Red-Green coalitions, the "Green" here is the colour of a centrist party rather than an actual Green party...
government of Labour
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
, the Centre Party
Centre Party (Norway)
The Centre Party is a centrist and agrarian political party in Norway, founded in 1920. The Centre Party's policy is not based on any of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th century, but has a focus on maintaining decentralised economic development and political decision-making.From its...
and Socialist Left Party
Socialist Left Party (Norway)
The Socialist Left Party or SV, is a Norwegian left-wing political party. At one point one of the smallest parties in Parliament, it became the fourth-largest political party in Norway for the first time in the 2001 parliamentary election, and has been so ever since...
.
After the election victory
Norwegian parliamentary election, 2005
Parliamentary elections were held in Norway on 12 September 2005. More than 3.4 million Norwegians were eligible for vote for the Storting, the parliament of Norway. The new Storting has 169 members, an increase of four over the 2001 election....
on 12 September 2005, the three parties agreed to launch negotiations on government at the Soria Moria Hotel in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. Negotiations began on 26 September and ended with a press conference on 13 November where the official government policy was presented. Soria Moria carries a reference to the famous Norwegian fairy tale about a poor lad's journey to the Soria Moria Castle
Soria Moria Castle
Soria Moria Castle is a Norwegian fairy tale made famous by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe in their classic Norske Folkeeventyr...
, a Norwegian folk tale aboout a Shambhala
Shambhala
In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala or Shangri-la is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia...
like kingdom. On the way Halvor, the protagonist, have to fight a number of terrible troll
Troll
A troll is a supernatural being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In origin, the term troll was a generally negative synonym for a jötunn , a being in Norse mythology...
s before conquering the heart of the princess of Soria Moria. The story ends with a fantastic wedding at the castle.
Among the topics that were negotiated for were:
- Oil explorationOil explorationHydrocarbon exploration is the search by petroleum geologists and geophysicists for hydrocarbon deposits beneath the Earth's surface, such as oil and natural gas...
in the Barents SeaBarents SeaThe Barents Sea is a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, located north of Norway and Russia. Known in the Middle Ages as the Murman Sea, the sea takes its current name from the Dutch navigator Willem Barents...
, - Norwegian agricultural conditions, including ongoing negotiations in the World Trade Organisation,
- Norwegian militaryNorwegian Armed ForcesThe Norwegian Armed Forces numbers about 23,000 personnel, including civilian employees. According to mobilisation plans , the strength during full mobilisation would be approximately 83,000 combatant personnel. Norway has mandatory military service for men and voluntary service for women...
participation in AfghanistanTaliban insurgencyThe Taliban insurgency took root shortly after the group's fall from power following the 2001 war in Afghanistan. The Taliban continue to attack Afghan, U.S., and other ISAF troops and many terrorist incidents attributable to them have been registered. The war has also spread over the southern and...
and Iraq, - organization of public hospitals,
- publicly funded schoolEducation in NorwayEducation in Norway is mandatory for all children aged 6–16. The school year in Norway runs from mid August to late June the following year. The Christmas holiday from mid December to early January historically divides the Norwegian school year into two terms...
lunches, - grades in school, and
- opportunity for gays to marry and be considered as adoptive parents.