Märtha Louise sheds tears of joy (All newspapers)

At the press conference following the announcement of her engagement to Ari Behn, Princess Märtha Louise was tearfully happy. The wedding will take place on 24 May next year at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The couple said they plan to move out of Oslo and both indicated they were looking forward to starting a family. Ari Behn, an author, said his work situation was well suited to family life. "As a matter of fact I rather see myself as an at-home dad," he said.

Thumbs up for Märtha and Ari (Aftenposten)

Yesterday evening, after the princess’s emotional announcement at the Palace had been transmitted endlessly on television and radio, the market research company, Opinion, carried out an survey which showed that six out of ten Norwegians were positive to the news. Only one in ten was negative. When Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit announced their engagement, 17 per cent were negative.

Increased EU pressure causes concern (Aftenposten)

Both the Conservatives and the Christian Democrats are playing down the danger that new EU rules could threaten Norway’s regional policies and the management of the country’s natural resources. But if Jon Lilletun, leader of the Christian Democrats’ parliamentary group, is to be believed there is a limit to how far Norway can stretch in its adaptation to EU rules. "We must fight for Norwegian positions. It is hugely important to maintain national control of our natural resources, both in terms of the current gas sales issue and the conflict over the right of reversion to the state," he said.

Minister intervenes after call from Røkke (Dagens Næringsliv)

On Wednesday Kjell Inge Røkke telephoned Labour and Government Administration Minister Victor D. Norman. Mr Røkke wanted the merger between Kværner and Aker Maritime handled in Norway. Yesterday Mr Norman overruled the Norwegian Competition Authority’s recommendation to let the European Commission determine whether to allow the merger to go ahead. "The solution we have chosen is that those issues having to do with national markets should be handled at the national level. This means in practice the oil and gas business, while those which have international implications should be handled at the EU level, in accordance with the EEA Agreement," said Mr Norman.

Women who have babies close together should be rewarded (Dagsavisen)

Norwegian women want to have several children in quick succession. But to qualify for the full parental leave entitlement they must have been in employment for six out of the previous ten months prior to the next birth. Researcher Trude Lappegård is proposing that a ‘fast delivery’ premium be given to those who give birth in quick succession, along the lines of the scheme currently operating in Sweden. "I believe a scheme like this would also have an impact in Norway," she said. MPs have described Ms Lappegård’s suggestion as ‘exciting’. The Children and Family Affairs Minister is due to review the whole parental leave scheme in the new year.

DNA to decide paternity (Aftenposten)

Children and Family Affairs Minister Laila Dåvøy is proposing to allow DNA testing in paternity disputes. There is probably majority support in the Storting for the proposal, which would mean that those involved would have to agree to DNA testing if one of the parties demanded it. "This is a highly relevant issue, and one which many fathers are struggling with. As we see it current legislation does not adequately protect the interests of the father. It is the father who ends up the loser when the mother refuses to allow DNA testing. But for us this is more about the child’s right to know who his or her biological father is, than about parents fighting amongst themselves," said Afshan Rafiq, the Conservative spokesperson on the issue.

Worth Noting

• According to tradition Ari Behn should be made a prince. But it is up to the King, according to law professor Eivind Smith. The 1990 change in the Constitution made Märtha Louise heir to the throne in the event of Crown Prince Haakon’s death. She has become part of the royal succession. This has placed the Norwegian royal family in a completely new situation, for which there is no precedent, said the professor. (Aftenposten)
• Ari Behn is marrying into one of Norway’s richest families. And a good thing too. The author is as poor as a church mouse. Last year he earned NOK 83,000 – less than he earned driving a fork-lift truck at a makeshift warehouse in Oslo’s Grønland district in 1994. (Verdens Gang)
• The Norwegian Association of Practical Nurses has now decided to join the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO). The nurses’ union is to merge with the Norwegian Union of Municipal Employees to form a union giant with 300,000 members. The two unions have been discussing the possibility of a merger since 1998. (Dagsavisen)
• The country’s police officers are climbing the barricades to demand a NOK 76,000 increase in salary. "Next year’s wage negotiations could lead to protest action on the part of the police," said Are Johannessen, leader of the Police Union. (Verdens Gang)
• The National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime has imposed a fine and seizure of assets totalling NOK 10 million on Telenor for having discriminated against the company’s competitors. The fine comes right before the issue of competition in the Norwegian telecoms market is to be discussed in the Storting. (Aftenposten)

Today’s comment from Dagbladet

Wedding bells are going to chime in Nidaros Cathedral for Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn. Well-wishers are already queuing up to congratulate the young couple, and we are more than willing to join them. The engagement of Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn is further confirmation of what has become a tradition – members of the royal family have the right to choose freely who they wish to marry. The critics have often claimed that this shows a lack of respect for the monarchy as an institution, and that the royal children have placed their own wishes above their duty. The engagement means that the modernization of the royal family has passed a decisive stage. In a few short years the institution has changed dramatically. The widowed King Olav reigned for 36 years, borne up by an inexhaustible sense of duty but with a considerable distance to the reality taking place outside his palace windows. That relationship has become closer, more open and more normal now. This does not change our attitude to the monarchy, which is founded on a matter of principle. But our views on hereditary forms of government do not prevent us from wishing the young couple all the best for the future. In this, love must come before constitutional debate. (All newspapers carried leaders commenting on the royal engagement)