Regional reform declared dead
Norwegian authorities had high ambitions for the introduction of an extensive regional reform. Now, experts conclude that the reform is boiling down to nothing.
The reform was to reduce the number of counties and increase efficiency in regional government structures. However, the current Norwegian government has proven unable to follow up on the reform. Partly, internal disagreement in the government red-green coalition is to blame. In addition, opposition against the reform in the counties has been massive. Critics now say that the Norwegian government has shown weakness and a significant reluctance to transform to the better. Also a number of the Norwegian regional governors – the top state representatives in the counties – have actively fought the reform. In a comment in newspaper Nordlys editor Roger Bergersen writes that a new stronger government will have to come in office before the reform can be implemented. -It will take time, but one beautiful day, the current county administrations and the many split regions will be history, editor in newspaper Fremover writes.
