Oslo
Oslo (former name Christiania or Kristiania) is the capital and largest city of Norway. The population of Oslo's metropolitan area is 825,105, and the population of the city proper is 538,411.[1]
History
Politics
Oslo has seventeen members of the Norwegian parliament. In the term 2005-2009, the following parties are represented:
| Party | MPs |
|---|---|
| Labor party | 6 |
| Progress Party | 3 |
| Conservative Party | 3 |
| Socialist Left Party | 2 |
| Liberal Party | 2 |
| Christian Democratic Party | 1 |
The local system of government is parliamentary. The city council consists of 59 representatives, elected every four years. The executive branch of the local government consists of six commissioners, in addition to the leader of the commission. All seven members of the commission need the confidence of the city council. As of 2007, the leader of the commission is Mr. Erling Lae of the Conservative Party. Mr. Lae leads a coalition between the Conservative Party and the Progress Party The current Mayor is Mr. Per Ditlev-Simonsen, also of the Conservative Party. The Mayor of Oslo has a mostly ceremonial role.
The following parties are represented in the city council:
| Party | MPs |
|---|---|
| Labor party | 15 |
| Conservative Party | 15 |
| Socialist Left Party | 12 |
| Progress Party | 10 |
| Liberal Party | 3 |
| Christian Democratic Party | 2 |
| Red Electoral Alliance | 2 |
Boroughs
Oslo is divided into fifteen boroughs, which are to some extent self governed. The boroughs have responsibilities such as running nursing homes and kindergartens.
- Gamle Oslo
- Grünerløkka
- Sagene
- St. Hanshaugen
- Frogner
- Ullern
- Vestre Aker
- Nordre Aker
- Bjerke
- Grorud
- Stovner
- Alna
- Østensjø
- Nordstrand
- Søndre Nordstrand
In addition to the fifteen boroughs, two areas are separate geographical entities, but do not have an administration of their own. These two areas are the city center (“Sentrum”) and Oslo's surrounding rural areas (“Marka”).