In an extraordinary session of the Council of State at noon today, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg’s government handed in its resignation, in line with what the Prime Minister had told the Storting earlier today. The King requested Mr. Stoltenberg’s government to continue as a caretaker government until a new government has been formed.

With regard to the forming of a new government, the Prime Minister advised the King to approach the parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Party, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik.

The wording of the resignation of Mr. Stoltenberg’s government is as follows:

”To His Majesty the King,

Following the Bondevik Government’s choice to resign in March 2000, the Labour Party – as the largest party group in the Storting – was asked to form the Government.

The Storting elections on 10 September 2001 did not render a majority for any of the declared government alternatives.

Following the elections, the Conservative Party, the Christian Democratic Party and the Liberal Party – encouraged by the Progressive Party – declared their intention to negotiate the forming of a three-party government.

Following such negotiations, and on the basis of further clarification between the said parties, the Progressive Party has expressed the party’s will to support the forming of such a government. There is consequently a majority in the Storting for the forming of a new government.

On behalf of the Government, I thus beg leave to apply for its resignation.

Yours sincerely
Jens Stoltenberg”.